Wild Animals in Hong Kong
With Hong Kong being a small city with dense human population, many people may overlook her rich biodiversity. In fact, there are many mammals in Hong Kong, with more than 50 species recorded, including monkeys and wild pigs.
Monkey
Monkeys are mainly distributed in Kam Shan, Lion Rock, Shing Mun Country Parks and Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve in Hong Kong. The species includes Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta), Long-tailed Macaque (M. fascicularis) and their hybrids. Hong Kong falls within the range of natural distribution of the Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta). However, the original wild stock is believed to have become extirpated. The existing wild monkey populations are considered as the descendants of the individuals which have been introduced to the Kowloon Hills, i.e. Kam Shan and Lion Rock Country Parks in the 1910s.
The total population of wild macaques in Hong Kong is estimated at 1,800 individuals. They live in troops that can reach up to 200 individuals. Their natural diet includes forest leaves, flowers, shoots, roots and barks as well as insects as supplements. AFCD has planted suitable trees in country parks to provide plenty of natural food for monkeys.
Interesting behaviours:
- Storing food in their cheek pouches like hamsters
- Grooming, including taking bugs (i.e. insects, tangled fur) and debris out of the fur of each other, is a part of their social behaviours
- Opening mouth and jumping towards human is a part of their defensive behaviours; however, they usually do not attack if direct gazing is avoided
- Their face and rump will become more red during mating seasons
Wild Pig
Wild Pig (Sus scrofa) is the largest native terrestrial mammal in Hong Kong with adults weighing up to 200 kg and reaching a body length up to 2 m. They have thick and short bristly coats of brownish grey to black colour. Young wild pigs are born with a coat of chocolate and cream coloured stripes along their torso. This pattern fades within the first six months to one year.
Wild pigs are opportunistic omnivores that feed on bulbs, roots and tubers, as well as earthworms and insects. They are also good swimmers.
Interesting behaviours:
- They are secretive and wary of human contact in general
- They are nocturnal animals (active during the night)
- Adult males are solitary while adult females flock with piglets
“Don’t Feed Wild Animals” Programme
With the aim to further engage the public, in addition to school talks, a series of outreaching education activities including guided tours and educational booths around the subject are performed at Piper’s Hill Car Park and Kam Shan or Lion Rock Country Parks during weekends and/or public holidays. The “Don’t Feed Wild Animals” Programme focuses on deterring suspected feeding activities, raising public awareness and encouraging them to respect wildlife.
Public Awareness
In recent years, some wild animals including monkeys and wild pigs have adapted to forage near the border of country parks or even lingering in the human settlements of which leaded to human–wildlife conflicts. Such conflicts would lead to the risk of animal attack, habitat deterioration, traffic accidents or environmental hygiene.
Since 2018, over 13,000 people received a better understanding of the natural behaviours of wild animals and the importance of not feeding them through guided tours and educational booths.
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Deter Suspected Feeding Activities
In addition to conveying the message on not feeding wild animals, during the operation of educational booth, OPCFHK team often observe some suspected feeding activites. For instance, people are holding human food in the presence of monkeys or deliberately leave bulk food behind. Hence, OPCFHK team spares no effort to stop any suspected feeding activities on site.
Community Education
Since July 2018, over 50 free educational talks and eco-tours were held both on site (country parks) and at schools. Educational booths around the subject are also performed at Piper’s Hill Car Park and Kam Shan or Lion Rock Country Parks during weekends and/or public holidays.
In order to enhance public understanding on the proper ways of interacting with wildlife, OPCFHK and AFCD have designed a series of educational talks suitable for kindergartens and primary schools in the 2019/20 school year. The talks mainly introduce the commonly seen monkeys and wild pigs in Hong Kong and the correct behavior when encountering these wild animals, such as not feeding them. Students can also gain practical knowledge through interactive games.
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Get Involved
Passionate in spreading the words and helping the precious wild life in Hong Kong? Join us and be our volunteer! “'Don’t Feed Wild Animals' Volunteer Programme 2019/20" aims to promote the message of not feeding wild animals whilst engaging the public to be a conservation ambassador. For more details, please click here.
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