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RECREATION AND THE ARTS
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 for the mammals. The horticultural contribution, which is mainly located in the Old Garden, is enhanced by extensive planting inside the zoological enclosures.
The mammal collection includes Jaguars, Red Pandas, Bornean Orang-utans, Golden- headed Lion Tamarins, Golden Lion Tamarins, Emperor Tamarins, Red-cheeked Crested Gibbons, Siamangs, Green Acouchis, Orange-rumped Agoutis, Prevost's Tree Squirrels, Indian Porcupines, Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroos, Celebes Black Apes, Ring-tailed Lemurs, Common Squirrel Monkeys, Short-beaked Echidnas, and Spotted Linsangs. Among them, 14 species of mammals, including the Orang-utans, both species of Lion Tamarin and both species of Gibbon, have bred in the gardens.
The bird collection, which is among the best in Asia, concentrates on rare or endangered species. Altogether, more than 1 000 specimens representing about 300 species are housed. With the sale or transfer of zoological stock between countries growing increasingly difficult, greater emphasis has been placed on the breeding of stock within the gardens. An excellent record in this respect has been achieved in recent years, including success with White-naped Crane, Count Raggi's Bird of Paradise, Victoria Crowned Pigeon, White- Winged Wood-duck, African Pygmy Goose, all the world's six species of Peacock Pheasant and the highly endangered Rothschild's Myna.
On September 16, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal visited the gardens and met staff members who were past students of the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, of which she is patron.
The horticultural collection includes trees, palms, and shrubs representing more than 550 species. Colourful displays of seasonal flowers can be found at the Fountain Terrace garden which was reconstructed in 1985. This formal garden has a large fountain as the central feature and the landscaped surrounds include more than 250 species of medicinal plants.
Major Parks
The Urban Council has an extensive building programme to provide Hong Kong with large modern parks.
The first of these is Kowloon Park, which is being donated as a turnkey project by the Jockey Club and which will open in February 1989. There will be many features in this park which are new to Hong Kong. They include an indoor heated Olympic-size swimming pool with spectator seating, an outdoor leisure pool, a games hall, loggia, piazza, bird lake, sculpture walk, water features and modern designed children's playgrounds.
Construction of the second modern park, known as the Hong Kong Park, has started and is expected to be completed in 1991. This is a joint venture with the Jockey Club, which has donated a substantial amount towards the total cost and has been entrusted with the responsibility to build it for the Urban Council. This park will have a large greenhouse, a walk-in aviary, a games hall, lakes, a visual arts centre and contains the existing Teaware Museum and squash centre.