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The Environment

The Mai Po Marshes form one of the most important wildlife conservation sites in Hong Kong. Together with the Inner Deep Bay area, the Mai Po Marshes area has been listed as a 'Wetland of International Importance' under the Ramsar Convention. About 1,500 hectares of inter-tidal mudflats, fish ponds, marshes, reedbeds and dwarf mangroves provide a rich habitat for migratory and resident birds, particularly waterbirds. Some 390 species of birds have been observed in this area. Thirty-six species are considered globally threatened, including the Black- faced Spoonbill, Baer's Pochard, Nordmann's Greenshank and Spoon-billed Sandpiper. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) implements a wetland conservation and management plan to conserve the ecological value of the area.

The traditional fung shui woods near old villages and temples and the secondary forests provide important habitats for many woodland birds. Birds sighted in the wooded areas include different species of warblers, flycatchers, robins, thrushes, bulbuls and tits.

Areas around the Kowloon reservoirs are inhabited by monkeys which are the descendents of individuals released there in the early twentieth century. There are breeding groups of Rhesus. Macaque and hybrids of Rhesus Macaque and Long-tailed Macaque. Some monkeys have migrated to the forested areas of Shing Mun Reservoir and Tai Po Kau. Feeding of monkeys is prohibited 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 their growth, Hong Kong supports 84 species of hard corals. This diversity is quite rich by international standards. A variety of marine

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