TNAG-1953-FCO40-2782-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 165

香港政府漁農處

九龍廣東道三九三號

廣東道政府合署十三樓

* OUR REF: (58) in AF INO 24/10 IV

來函槛號 YOUR REF:

Tel. No. 3-7332128

Cable Address: AGFISH HONG KONG

Dear Sir,

By hir Mail

Cuso165

AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES DEPARTMENT

Canton Road Government Offices

393 Canton Road

12th floor Kowloon, Hong Kong

19 December, 1988

Disposal of Live Endangered Species

Thank you for your letter of 22nd November 1988.

It is true that the root of the problem lies in the fact that Hong Kong does not have sufficient suitable institutions which are willing to accept the live specimens expeditiously and are willing to pay the freight costs for the delivery of the animals. In particular, it is very difficult to find suitable homes for the less endangered Appendix II species (e.g. Burmess python, rhesus monkeys) and certain Appendix I species (e.g. Asiatic Bony Tongue fish) when the freight costs of sending the animals usually exceed the market value of these animals. On the other hand, Hong Kong is a small territory and there are few non-commercial zoos and centres which are suitable for accepting the seized animals.

As you are well aware, CITES Appendices cover such a wide diversity of animals (from a snail to an elephant), it is not possible to have sufficient holding facilities, staff and other resources to cater for the keeping of all sorts animals. Currently we have very limited facilities and resources in keeping seized animals and problems will arise when we are in possession of large odd animals (e.g. tigers, bears) or a large consignments of animals (e.g. parrots).

Mr. I.G. Muchmore,

UK CITES Management Authority, Department of the Environment, Room 11/08,

Tollgate House,

Houlton Street,

Bristol 332 9DJ, U.K.

All replies must be addressed to Director of Agriculture and Fisheries

函請寄交「漁

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