23
Natural History
THERE are many attractions in Hong Kong for the nature lover. Although the territory is small, it contains a wide variety of tropical flora and tropical and sub-tropical fauna. There are beautiful country walks within easy reach of the urban areas, both on Hong Kong Island and in the New Territories, and for the naturalist these excursions on foot can be-most rewarding.
=
Mammals. Unfortunately the numbers of several species of the Colony's wild mammals are continually decreasing. This is partly due to the post-war development of Hong Kong and the rapid expansion of the human population.
Among the mammals which have long been extremely rare or have been only occasional visitors from southern China are the South China Tiger, Leopard, Dhole or Indian Wild Dog, South China Red Fox, Crab-eating Mongoose, and Large Chinese Civet. It is probable that most, if not all, of these animals have now finally disappeared from the Colony. The last undoubted visit of a large feline in Hong Kong was recorded in 1957, when a Leopard which had been seen in the New Territories killed a number of domestic animals. Others, which from lack of recent records must now be regarded as rare, are the small Chinese Leopard Cat and the primitive Chinese Pangolin or Scaly Ant-eater. It is unfortunate that several species (e.g., certain civets, wild cats, deer, pangolins and porcupines) are locally valued as food or for medicinal purposes.
Monkeys may still be found in small numbers, with very localized distribution, on Hong Kong Island and in the New Territories. Although all of these may be descendants of released or escaped specimens, it is possible that those in the Tai Tam area of Hong Kong Island are survivors of the indigenous Rhesus Monkeys, a species which less than a hundred years ago inhabited most of the small islands about Hong Kong. Another indigenous mammal is the little Chinese Ferret-Badger, seldom seen on account