ENG-1976 — Page 286

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Natural History

F

ON international and local levels, further steps were taken in 1976 to preserve and protect the plants and wildlife in Hong Kong's 300 square miles of countryside.

More animals and birds came under full protection at the beginning of the year when the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance replaced earlier legislation. It extended the existing list of species covered and also tightened up loopholes in the old law. No animals or birds on the list may be killed or caught, and birds' nests and eggs are also protected.

In August Hong Kong gave more support to the international fight for nature conservation by implementing the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance 1976. It extends control over the trade in species of animals and plants in danger of extinction, bringing Hong Kong into line with the 1973 Washington Convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora. The previous system of controlling the import and possession of endangered species by licence is to continue, but their export is now also controlled. And, in general, a licence to import will only be issued when the exporting country issues an export licence.

The new law also brought under control certain indigenous and other endangered species of snakes, fish, molluscs and plants, and it increased the number of controlled species of birds and mammals. The range now includes Chinese Pangolins, owls and other birds of prey, Birds of Paradise, green turtles, pythons, and the skins of leopards and other spotted cats.

More than half the countryside is under one or another protection order so as to conserve wildlife, trees and plants. Although most of the big game-like tigers— vanished before conservation began 20 years ago, Hong Kong still has a variety of wild animals and many species of birds.

Wildlife

Egrets continue to nest at Yim Tso Ha, which is a restricted area under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance. This is the largest egretry in Hong Kong and five species nest there regularly-Chinese Pond Heron, Night Heron, Cattle and Little Egrets, and the rare Swinhoe's Egret. About 1,000 egrets can be found there during the nesting season between April and September, but only people with permits are allowed into the area. Several other egretries exist in the New Territories but they are not used by Swinhoe's Egret or Night Heron.

The Mai Po marshes, also restricted, are the main attraction for birdwatchers in Hong Kong. The acres of mudflats, shrimp ponds and mangrove form a very rich