ENG-1987 — Page 342

THE ENVIRONMENT

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September, the nesting season. Another egretry near Mai Po is visited by most species but not the Swinhoe's Egret.

Although traditional fung shui woods near the old villages and temples are increasingly affected by development, 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 still seen occasionally. Areas around the Kowloon reservoirs are inhabited by monkeys that originated from those that either were released or had 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 Hong Kong Island.

Wild pigs were once sufficiently scarce to warrant protection by law, but their numbers have increased to such an extent that they occasionally damage crops, causing farmers to complain. Consequently, special culling exercises have been organised by the Police Force to reduce this threat to crops.

Occasional reports are still received of sightings of less common species such as the Leopard Cat, Ferret Badger, Eastern Chinese Otter and Barking Deer. However, the increasing presence of human activity into the countryside means an uncertain future for these species.

Snakes, lizards and frogs are plentiful in Hong Kong. There are also various species of terrapins and turtles, none of which is common. Most of the local snakes are not poisonous and death from snakebite is rare. The poisonous land snakes are: The Banded Krait, with black and yellow bands; the Many-banded Krait, with black and white bands; Macclel- land's Coral Snake, which is coral red with narrow, black transverse bars; the Chinese Cobra and the Hamadryad or King Cobra, both of which are hooded; the rare Mountain Pit Viper; the Red-necked Keelback with vermilion neck; and the White-lipped Pit Viper or Bamboo Snake. The Bamboo Snake is bright green and less venomous than others, but it is not easily seen and strikes readily if approached. The Hamadryads, Kraits and Corals prey almost exclusively on other snakes.

Several species of sea snakes, all venomous, are found in Hong Kong waters. They have never been known to attack bathers. An amphibian of special interest is the Hong Kong Newt, which has not been recorded elsewhere in the region.

There are more than 200 recorded species and forms of colourful butterflies, several of which, as caterpillars, cause considerable damage to farmers' crops. These include the two commonly found species of Cabbage Whites, the Swallowtails, and the beautiful but less common Small Blue. Among the many local moths are the giant silkworm moths, including the Cynthia, Fawn, Atlas and Moon. The Atlas has an average wing span of 23 centimetres and the Moon, 18 centimetres.

Of the local plant bugs, two are especially noted for their colour and shape. They are the rare and beautiful spotted Tea Bug, which has been recorded only on hilltops and the Lantern Fly which has delicately coloured wings and a remarkably long forehead. Dragon and damsel flies are common, as are wasps and metallic coloured beetles. Of particular interest is the giant Red-spotted Longhorn Beetle which feeds on Mountain Tallow and Wood-oil trees. Many other species of Longhorn Beetles infest living or weakened trees, including citrus and pine.