RECREATION AND THE ARTS
Through a network of plant nurseries the council had achieved a 90 per cent sufficiency level in plant production, thus ensuring both the availability and quality of stock to meet almost all circumstances. To undertake planting, teams are employed on both sides of the harbour with staff numbers rapidly expanding to meet demands for extra planting. Arboricultural maintenance for both new and mature tree stocks by skilled, technical staff is on the increase. Advice is given to government departments on tree conservation issues.
The scale of park, garden and nursery development provides excellent scope for the public education of people of school age through to senior citizens. To support site visits and lectures the council has produced a number of simple pamphlets with such diverse titles as Plant Propagation and Care, A Key to Common Roadside Trees in Hong Kong and An Educational Tree Walk in Victoria Park.
In addition to playing host to various school, social and gardening groups, the council has been instrumental in the formation of two new horticultural clubs, one in Hong Kong and one in Kowloon. They have now acquired a combined membership nearing 500. With the employment of more full-time educational staff in the coming year, the scope of such activities will grow in content, variety and depth.
Flower shows also serve to arouse public interest. In October 1988, the Urban Council sponsored a floral exhibit at the Second City Flower Show of China held in Beijing. The theme of the exhibit was based on the national flower, the Hong Kong Orchid Tree or Bauhinia blakeana, and drew much favourable comment from visitors. In March 1989, the Hong Kong Flower Show, jointly sponsored by the Urban and Regional Councils, was held in Sha Tin Town Park. This event attracted 1 700 horticultural exhibits and an attendance of over 113 000 people. For the first time exhibits were provided by 15 organisations from eight Chinese provinces and the Netherlands. They joined exhibits from Singapore, Thailand, Australia and South Africa to add an international flavour to the show and promise exciting future expansion of the event.
Zoological and Botanical Gardens
The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, managed by the Urban Council, are the oldest and probably 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 contribu- tion, 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, Lion-tailed Macaques, Ring-tailed Lemurs, Common Squirrel Monkeys, Short-beaked Echidnas, and Spotted Linsangs. Most species of mammals, including the Lion Tamarins, Gibbons and Orang-utans, have been successfully bred in the gardens, which now actively participate in the International Breeding Programme for Endangered Species. A senior veterinary officer was appointed in August 1989 to care for and develop the Urban Council's zoological collection.
The bird collection, which is among the best in Asia, concentrates on rare or endangered species. More than 1 000 specimens representing about 300 species are housed there. With
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