NATURAL HISTORY
241
traditional Chinese herbal medicines are Psychotria rubra, Ardisia crispa and Strophanthus divaricatus, which are considered good for bruises and certain injuries.
Zoological and Botanical Gardens
The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, managed by the Urban Council, are the oldest and possibly the most popular public gardens in Hong Kong. Situated on a 5.35-hectare site at the foot of Victoria Peak overlooking Government House, the gardens contain a wide variety of botanical and zoological features. The gardens were constructed between 1861 and 1871 and are divided by Albany Road. The Old Garden, located to the east of the road, houses an extensive bird collection while the New Garden, opened in 1871, is home to the mammals. The horticultural contribution, which is mainly located in the Old Garden, is enhanced by extensive planting inside the zoological enclosures.
With the sale or transfer of zoological stock between countries becoming increasingly difficult, greater emphasis has been placed on the breeding of stock within the gardens. Most successful in this respect during 1983 was the White-naped Crane and, for the second successive year, the Count Raggi's Bird of Paradise. The latter is believed to be only the third instance of zoo breeding of this rare species on two separate occasions. Another important event was the arrival of a pair of very rare Red Crowned Cranes from Beijing Zoo in June.
New facilities opened during the year include a free-flight aviary with a spectacular waterfall created from Ping Chau sedimentary rock, and a combined enclosure for Siamungs and Lemurs in the New Garden. A popular feature, the fountain terrace, was removed to enable reconstruction of the reservoir roof lying beneath it. On completion of the reservoir works, the terrace will be rebuilt to a new design with an improved range of horticultural features to complement the zoological exhibits in the garden.
In September, almost 70 per cent of the gardens' plant life was uprooted, including century-old trees, as a result of Typhoon Ellen. Workers started repairing the damage immediately but the gardens will take years to recover fully.
During a visit to Hong Kong in October as President of the World Wildlife Fund, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh unveiled a plaque commemorating the identification of endangered species in the gardens by signs displaying the fund's panda symbol.
||