TNAG-0468-FCO40-533-Legislation-for-protection-of-wild-life-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 114

Comments

Page 2.

CONSERVACION

and.nai (2ade ia deng &ing,

RUDDE

to be the very large numbers of birds of prey and owls destroyed. Since the 1964 sonference on Birds of Prey and Owls convenod in France, by the Internationɛl Council for Bird Preservation, the threat to the existence of these birds has been prominent in the thoughts and aetions of all bodies concerned with wild bird preservation. Although it is impossible to access the effect on world populations of birds of prey and owls through the slaughter of these birds in Hong Kong, it is reasonable to suppose that the effect is significent - perhaps extremely significant,in the case of some specios.

A possible future danger esists to the survival of the Chinese Pangolin, Manis pentadactyla, a predator of Termite colonies; and even to the Asiatic species of Civets and Palm Civets. Snakes form a considerable part of the destroyed animals.

What rare, or even unknown snakes may be disappearing, we do not know, for no records of this sort seem to be kept in Hong Kong. CRUELTY

Oruelty

The conditions of the animal traffic in Hong Kong are a disgrace to the Hong Kong Government and to Great Britain.

THR HONG

The Hong Kong Government seems unwilling to take effective action against the wildlife trade, which is Communist controlled. The principle seems to be to be to avoid trouble, at any cost in vàd-If animal suffering or conservation. I wonder whether this fear of Pekin is justified. Perhaps Pekin has little knowledge of the Hong Kong wildlife traffic and no intention of supporting it. Could not the assistance of Pekin be sought? Perhaps the gain in 'face' which would follow Chinese against the cruelty might be a consideration. Whether or not this is possible, there is no don't that the present situation is scandalous.

The Hong Kong SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

I have found no evidence that the work of the H.K. SPCA has any considerable effect upon any, aspect of the wildlife traffic in Hong Kong. The HISPCA gets an annual subvention from the Hong Kong Government and may be presumed not to with to lose it. (Subvention said to be $$E,E);

H.K. Dollars 85,000 per annum » $7,000.)

The Chinese inspector of the SPCA seem to be a good body ɗ men, working under extremely difficult circumstances. They need vigorous support from their employers. FINALLY

Finally No true record is kept of wildlife enter ing the Hong Kong markets. The records kept are based on numbers and species given by traders. The whole trade needs a thorough, impartialinvestigation efter which steps should and could be taken to rectify the abuses.

AByle.