Five years later, I saw a newspaper advertisement about a vacancy for a panda keeper at the park. My previous experience helped me clinch the job.

There are three panda keepers and trainers at the moment.

YP: There are two pandas, Jia Jia and An An, at Ocean Park. What are they like?

W: Jia Jia, the female, is 26, while An An, the male, is only 18. An An is more active and livelier. He is also greedier. But Jia Jia is cleverer and learns more quickly, perhaps because she is more experienced.

Both of them are lovely and follow our instructions very well.

YP: What are your responsibilities?

W: I spend a lot of time preparing food for them. They have five to six meals every day. Apart from bamboo, they eat Chinese pears - which are their favourite - carrots and sweet potatoes. We also give them a special kind of bread with vitamins.

We measure their blood pressure twice a week. So I have to train them to sit quietly and stretch out their arms. Also, the vets take their blood for testing. They do not like this at all. So we give them food as a reward if they do well.

Moreover, I make toys for them to play with. We have to give them new toys regularly. Otherwise, they may get bored. Although they are animals, we should consider their psychological needs.

YP: What challenges do you face?

W: I have to watch the two pandas very carefully to see whether they are uncomfortable or have an illness. All giant pandas are regarded as national treasures in China. An An and Jia Jia were given to Hong Kong by the central government as a special gift. There is pressure because I can't let them get hurt. I have to be alert all the time.

I weigh them every day. Even a slight loss of weight makes me nervous and means I have to try to stimulate their appetite.

YP: What are the requirements to be a good panda trainer?

W: Patience and love are very important. You cannot expect to be their good friend from the first day. You have to put a lot of effort into building mutual trust. It may take a few months.

Sometimes, I talk to them even though I know they don't understand a word I am saying.

But they do know that you are talking to them.