400 ❘ Recreation, Sport and the Arts
Despite the urban surroundings, the gardens provide a viable conservation centre for endangered species. Sixteen endangered species of mammals, birds and reptiles lived there in 2007. The bird collection is one of the most comprehensive in Asia. It comprises about 400 birds of 140 species. Fifteen of the 140 species have had offspring there. The mammal collection consists of 70 animals of 21 species, mainly primates. More than 900 species of trees, shrubs, creepers and foliage plants thrive in the gardens. The medicinal plant collection established in 1987 and a greenhouse built in 1993 have generated particular public interest in the 500 or more species of herbs, orchids, ferns and indoor plants there.
Hong Kong Park
Opened in 1991, Hong Kong Park is on the site of the former military barracks in Central and occupies an area of about eight hectares. The park, which blends modern design into the natural landscape, features flowing water as its central motif and has artificial waterfalls, streams and ponds.
Major facilities in the park include an aviary, conservatory, a vantage point for viewing the city, an Olympic Square, squash centre, sports centre, children's playground and restaurant. The aviary is designed to look like a tropical rainforest in which about 600 birds of 90 different species are kept, including three hornbills and five pelicans that are a major attraction for visitors. Some bird species, namely the crowned pigeon and catbird, were credited with successful brood-rearing this year. The conservatory has three sections, including the 'Display Plant House', 'Dry Plant House' and 'Humid Plant House'. Adjustable environmental control equipment is installed in these houses to simulate different climatic conditions for plants from the arid regions and tropical environment. There is always something new as well as attractive plants to see there. The 'Elephant-yam', a rare plant species blooming for the first time in Hong Kong Park, produced a corpse-like smell during the flowering period, attracting public interest. In June and July, an aquatic plant show was held in the park's display plant house and lake, exhibiting more than 100 species of aquatic plants. The show attracted about 140 000 visitors. A Wollemi Pine, one of the world's oldest and rarest plants dating back to the time of the dinosaurs, was planted at the park in September under the Valuable Tree Donation Project.
The Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games Gallery, on the second floor of the sports centre, which has been opened to the public since October 2005 features different colour zones. The exhibits in the gallery tell the story of the Olympic movement from its beginning in ancient Greece, with special emphasis on Hong Kong's participation and achievements in sports. Other exhibits include Olympic torches and medals from past games. A special section has been dedicated to the forthcoming 2009 EAG in Hong Kong. Exhibits there include models of the Hong Kong Coliseum, Hong Kong Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Stanley Main Beach. Water Sports Centre and Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground which will be some of the venues for staging the 2009 EAG competitions.