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Natural History
DESPITE its small area and one of the highest population densities in the world, Hong Kong manages to accommodate a rich and surprisingly diverse flora and fauna. The rapid spread of urban development has been offset by the territory's generally hilly topography, and the designation of water catchment areas and country parks. By constraining building developments, for the most part, to shores, foothills and reclamations, large expanses of the countryside have been preserved - and with it, a wide variety of the indigenous animal and plant life.
Most of Hong Kong's countryside is protected by the Forests and Countryside Ordinance, the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, the Country Parks Ordinance and the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance. The Wild Animals Protection Ordinance was amended to totally ban game hunting from January 1, 1981. Underlying the ban was the increased urbanisation of parts of the New Territories, the designation of most of the scenic hill lands as country parks, and the growth of the population all of which have left very few areas where a firearm may be discharged without the risk of endangering human life.
Wildlife
The Mai Po Marshes, a restricted area under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, is an important attraction for Hong Kong birdwatchers. The 380 hectares of mudflats, shrimp ponds and dwarf mangroves provide a very rich bird habitat, particularly for ducks and waders. Of more than 250 species of birds which have been recorded in this area, at least 110 are rarely seen elsewhere in the territory.
Yim Tso Ha, also restricted, is the largest egretry in Hong Kong and five species the Chinese Pond Heron, Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, and the rare Swinhoe's Egret nest there regularly. About 1000 egrets can be found there during the nesting season between April and September. Another egretry near Mai Po is visited by most birds except the Swinhoe's Egret and Night Heron.
Although traditional fung shui woods near the older villages and temples are diminish- ing, they continue to provide a very important habitat for many birds. Sightings in wooded areas include an assortment of Phylloscopus Warblers, and there is growing evidence to suggest that the Black Baza, a bird of prey, may breed in Hong Kong.
Of the larger indigenous animals, the Chinese Pangolin (Scaly Anteater), which grows to a length of about one metre and is protected by horny scales, is seen occasionally. Areas around the Kowloon reservoirs are inhabited by monkeys that originated from specimens either released or which escaped from captivity. There are breeding groups of both Long-tailed Macaques and Rhesus monkeys. Smaller mammals are common, with the Grey Shrew and the House Shrew being numerous in some rural areas. The Chinese