ENG-1983 — Page 323

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Natural History

BEHIND the facade of tall skyscrapers which grace the lowlands on the edge of Victoria Harbour, there is a mixed topography of undulating hills and mountain peaks which make up Hong Kong's network of 21 country parks. The conventional image of the territory as being intensely urbanised - it has one of the highest population densities in the world is offset by the fact that more than 70 per cent of its total land area consists of natural and established woodlands, grass and scrub offering protection for a wide variety of indigenous animal and plant life.

Most of Hong Kong's countryside is protected by the Forests and Countryside Ordinance, the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, the Country Parks Ordinance and the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance.

Wildlife

The Mai Po Marshes, a restricted area under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, is an important attraction for Hong Kong birdwatchers. The 380 hectares of mudflats, shrimp ponds and dwarf mangroves provide a very rich bird habitat, particularly for ducks and waders. Of more than 250 species of birds which have been recorded in this area, at least 110 are rarely seen elsewhere in the territory.

Yim Tso Ha, also restricted, is the largest egretry in Hong Kong and five species - the Chinese Pond Heron, Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, and the rare Swinhoe's Egret - nest there regularly. More than 1 000 egrets can be found there during the nesting season between April and September. Another egretry near Mai Po is visited by most birds. except the Swinhoe's Egret and Night Heron.

Although traditional fung shui woods near the older villages and temples are diminishing, they continue to provide a very important habitat for many birds. Sightings in wooded areas include an assortment of warblers, flycatchers, robins and bulbuls.

Of the larger indigenous animals, the Chinese Pangolin (Scaly Anteater), which grows to a length of about one metre and is protected by horny scales, is seen occasionally. Areas around the Kowloon reservoirs are inhabited by monkeys that originated from specimens either released or which escaped from captivity. There are breeding groups of both Long-tailed Macaques and Rhesus monkeys. Smaller mammals are common, with the Grey Shrew and the House Shrew being numerous in some rural areas. The Chinese Porcupine, with its strikingly-coloured black and white quills, is still present in parts of the New Territories and on Hong Kong Island.

Once, wild pigs were sufficiently scarce to warrant protection by law, but their numbers have increased to such an extent that the damage they have done to crops resulted in bitter complaints from farmers. Consequently, special culling exercises have been organised by the Royal Hong Kong Police Force to reduce their threat to crops.