Animal rehabilitation
Animal rehabilitation
Injured native mammals seem to be few and far between in Hong Kong; this may in part be as a result of some old-fashioned attitudes to wildlife (as in... "Oh look we could eat that."). This does not prevent us from doing some useful work. Since the last Porcupine! we have successful relocated a Female Dusky Langur Trachypithecus obscurus (that we were holding on AFD's behalf) to a breeding group in the UK. This relocation was our first after an agreement with AFD that KFBG can be authorized to assist AFD with responsible re-homing of confiscated animals. We have since taken on a Pygmy Loris Nycticebus pygmaeus from AFD and, once the animal is healthy, we will pursue its introduction into the world captive breeding program for this threatened species (as re-release is not a valid option).
As always many new reptile cases have been received, from Tokay Geckos Gekko gecko to Three-lined and Yellow-margined Box Turtles Cuora trifasciata and Cistoclemmys flavomarginata. We also received a Cuban Anole Anolis equestris from Penfold Park where it had apparently been seen living free for around 1 year (worrying as this is a known destructive invading alien species). On AFD's behalf we are currently holding a juvenile Siamese Crocodile Crocodylus siamensis (CITES I) which is yet another casualty of the illegal pet trade and we hope to place this animal within a responsible breeding centre.
The autumn passage of birds was marked by the admittance of a couple of rarities, namely a Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis on 22 September 1998 and an Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia on 24 November 1998. The Black Bittern was suffering from a broken pelvis. It was therefore euthanised. The Oriental Scops Owl was released the following day.
A Besra Sparrowhawk Accipiter virgatus - found injured at Mai Po and later released, after ringing, from our rescue centre on 8 July 1997-was trapped at Mai Po on 10 December 1998 by members of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society.
Other recent birds of interest include two Woodcocks Scolopax rusticola admitted in October (one of which was released and the other euthanised) and a wing-damaged Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus, admitted on 31 October, which will be trained and then assessed for release.
Holding
For the duration of December, we are providing temporary accommodation for 82 native ducks and geese which have been captive bred in the UK. This is a collaborative project between Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve and KFBG. The 82 birds comprise Swan Goose, Bean Goose, Common Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Pochard, Wigeon, Pintails, Green-winged Teal and Gargany.
All of the birds have to undergo thorough examination, weighing, deworming and random blood sampling as part of the mandatory 30 day quarantine procedure, after which they will be relocated to their permanent home at the Captive Waterfowl Collection, Mai Po
Paul Crow, Rupert Griffiths and Amanda Haig
P.2-3
Compost man
Mr David Sanders joined the staff of the Horticulture Department in November 1998. He will be establishing an in-house treatment facility for the Farm's livestock waste. In future, such waste will be deposited into septic tanks for pretreatment. The overflow will then be channeled via Virbela flow-forms (which aerate the wastewater) into a series of treatment ponds. The emerging water will subsequently be diverted into a marshland cultivation area, and thence into a constructed "natural" wetland.
It is believed that this will be the first wastewater treatment system of its kind in Hong Kong. The idea is to demonstrate that waste can be treated through a living filter system, and most of the harmful substances can be converted into useful nutrients for plant growth. The system is expected to be completed by April 1999.
Lam Kong Hing
P.3
South China Biodiversity Team activities
Following the China Team's visit to Hua Ping National Nature Reserve, northeast Guangxi, in August, during which several reports of recent presumed tiger activity were received, two sets of infra-red-triggered cameras were borrowed from the Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, HKU. The cameras were set up at Hua Ping on 14 September 1998, by officials of the Guangxi Forestry Department (with help from KFBG), close to where the most recent reports were made. The South China Tiger has been regarded as extinct in Guangxi.
September 1998: Field surveys of Da Yao Shan and Da Ping Shan Nature Reserves, East Guangxi. Conducted with the Guangxi Forestry Dept., Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Normal University, South China Normal University, Xinyang University and Mr Bosco Chan of The University of Hong Kong (formerly of KFBG).
Several different parts of the huge (2,000 sq. km) Da Yao Shan reserve were investigated. As known from reports by Hong Kong birdwatchers visiting the range in recent years, deforestation and hunting have had a heavy impact. Local farmers reported that some streams (and their own livelihoods) are being badly impacted by the practice of liming, by groups from neighbouring towns. Recent growth of cash crops, such as aniseed trees, has also contributed to the demise of natural forests. Some good forest remains, however, particularly at higher elevations. A site occupied by the nationally-protected Crocodile Lizard, the sole member of a family endemic to Da Yao Shan, showed drastic habitat disturbance despite an enforced ban on hunting these animals. Improved habitat conservation measures are being discussed with Forestry officials.
Da Ping Shan was a lower-altitude site with some patches of forest. However, wardens reported difficulties in preventing hunting.
October 1998: Field surveys of Xi Da Ming Shan and Long Hu Shan Nature Reserves, Southwest Guangxi. Conducted with the Guangxi Forestry Department, South China Institute of Botany and Xinyang University. This was the last field survey by the KFBG Team in 1998. A short visit to Xi Da Ming Shan revealed a very degraded forest, managed principally for timber extraction. Long Hu Shan, where an area of forest supporting macaques is managed for tourism, still supports some rare species, but is subject to considerable human disturbance.
John Fellowes and Graham Reels
P.3
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