ENG-2000 — Page 350

THE ENVIRONMENT

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been observed in this area, and at least 110 of them are rarely seen elsewhere in the HKSAR.

The traditional fung shui woods near old villages and temples provide important habitats for many birds. Sightings in wooded areas include warblers, flycatchers, robins, bulbuls and tits.

Areas around the Kowloon reservoirs are inhabited by monkeys descended from animals that had been released or had escaped from captivity. There are breeding groups of long-tailed macaques and rhesus monkeys, and their hybrids. Feeding of monkeys has been prohibited since July 1999 to prevent unnatural growth of the monkey population. Smaller mammals are common, with the woodland shrew, house shrew and bats prevalent in some rural areas. Occasional sightings are still reported of less common species such as the Chinese porcupine, leopard cat, civet cat, ferret badger, pangolin and barking deer. Wild boars occasionally damage farm crops in

remote areas.

Hong Kong has over 100 species of amphibians and reptiles. Among them, over 40 species are snakes. Most snakes in Hong Kong are harmless and there have been few cases of people being bitten by highly venomous snakes. There are nine species of chelonians found in Hong Kong, of which the Green Turtle is of particular interest in that it is the only known species of sea turtles breeding locally. Among the 23 species of amphibians found in Hong Kong, three of them, Hong Kong Cascade Frog, Hong Kong Newt and the endemic Romer's Tree Frog have been listed under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance due to their rarity in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has more than 200 recorded species and forms of butterflies. Among the many local moths are the giant silkworm moths, including the cythia, fawn, atlas and moon. Dragonflies and damselflies are also common, as are wasps and metallic- coloured beetles.

Marine Fauna

Hong Kong is in the sub-tropical region, and its marine environment supports species of both tropical and temperate climates. Local waters contain a wide diversity of fishes, crustaceans, molluscs and other marine life, of which at least 150 species are of significant fishery importance.

Local waters are under the strong influence of the Pearl River, the largest river in southern China. Set on the eastern bank of the river's estuary, Hong Kong receives freshwater discharged from the river, especially in its western waters. The eastern waters, on the other hand, are little influenced by the Pearl River outflow and have a predominantly oceanic characteristic. This special hydrographic condition helps to contribute to the high diversity of marine life found in Hong Kong.

Despite being close to the northern limit for hard corals, Hong Kong supports some 50 stony coral species. This diversity of corals is considered quite rich by international standard. The green sea turtle is seen in local waters and nests in Hong Kong on a remote sandy beach of Lamma Island. A variety of marine fishes also breed in Hong Kong waters. Typical of eastern waters is the red sea bream, one of the several sea bream varieties whose fry are abundant along the shore of Mirs Bay in early spring.