ENG-2012 — Page 302

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The Environment

been prohibited since July 1999 to make them revert to foraging for natural food in the countryside.

Other mammals such as Red Muntjac, and Eurasian Wild Pig are very common in the countryside, while the Leopard Cat, Small-toothed Ferret Badger and Masked Palm Civet are relatively uncommon. Bats including the Himalayan Leaf-nosed Bat, Pomona Leaf-nosed Bat and Chinese Horseshoe Bat are found in caves and water tunnels. Sightings of rare species such as the Eurasian Otter, Crab-eating Mongoose and Chinese Pangolin are reported occasionally.

Hong Kong has over 100 species of amphibians and reptiles. There are 24 species of the former and three of them - the Hong Kong Cascade Frog, the Hong Kong Newt and the Romer's Tree Frog - are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance. Most of the 52 species of snakes are non-venomous, and reports of people being bitten by highly venomous snakes are rare. Among the 10 native species of chelonians, the Green Turtle is of particular conservation interest as it is the only known species of sea turtle breeding in Hong Kong.

Marine Fauna

Hong Kong's subtropical marine environment supports species found in both tropical and temperate climates. Local waters contain a wide diversity of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other marine life, of which at least 150 species are of fisheries significance. Situated on the eastern bank of the Pearl River Estuary, Hong Kong receives fresh water from the river, especially in its western waters. The waters on the eastern side, on the other hand, are little influenced by the Pearl River outflow and are predominantly oceanic in nature. This unusual hydrography helps to contribute to the diversity of marine life.

Despite being close to the northern geographic limit for the growth of hard corals, Hong Kong supports 84 species of these. This diversity is quite rich by international standards. A variety of marine fish also breeds in Hong Kong waters. Typical of the eastern waters is the red pargo, one of several sea bream varieties whose fry are abundant along the shore of Mirs Bay in early spring.

Two marine mammal species can be found throughout the year. The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, also known as the Chinese white dolphin, is the best known. The other is the Indo- Pacific finless porpoise. The humpback dolphin prefers an estuarine environment and inhabits the western waters of Hong Kong while the finless porpoise lives in the eastern and southern part, where the waters are predominantly oceanic.

To enhance inshore marine resources, the AFCD has installed artificial reefs to improve fishery resources and biodiversity. The Marine Parks programme continues to be important in protecting and conserving sites of special ecological and conservation value.

Geology and Landforms

Despite its small size, Hong Kong has a unique geology and a great variety of landforms including sea cliffs, sea caves, sea arches, geos, tombolos, wave-built terraces, sea stacks, notches and blowholes.

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