The Ocean Park Conservation Foundation has signed off on an agreement to expand its collection of resident red pandas in the Hong Kong theme park. In addition, the contract extended the loan period for the park’s current three red pandas for a further twenty years.

The Chinese government has a long-established history of sending pandas to other countries on loan; starting for ‘panda diplomacy’ purposes around 1950.

But the terms and conditions of such arrangements, and the policy considerations which drive them, reveal that Mainland China’s furry agenda is not as black and white as it seems.

Courtesy of Saskia Sinha

Read More

A drunk man was found guilty of strangling his live-in girlfriend's parrot and was sentenced to three months and two weeks in prison after pleading guilty to cruelty to animals in the Magistrates' Court.

He believed the sentence was too harsh and applied for bail to appeal against the sentence in the High Court. He told the High Court earlier that he suffered from anxiety attacks afterwards, and his girlfriend broke up with him, hoping to change his sentence to a non-custodial sentence.

The High Court judge rejected his appeal saying that the drunken man strangled the parrot to death, and the process must be extreme and excessive. Due to the use of force, the sentence imposed by the lower Court was only at the lower-middle level.

The appeal was dismissed and he was ordered to serve his sentence immediately.

Read More

The Victorian government will follow the Australian Capital Territory and could become the first Australian state to recognise that animals are sentient beings, under a draft overhaul of cruelty laws to be released in the coming weeks.

A long-awaited draft of the animal care and protection act will be released for public consultation next month, before a final bill is tabled in parliament in 2024. The new protections are expected to cover more species, including octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, lobsters, crabs and crayfish.

This came six years after the government announced a review of the existing Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, with a view to replace it “with a modern animal welfare act in 2019”. A 2019 parliamentary inquiry also recommended the government modernise the act “as a matter of priority”.

Read More

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become “one of the top 10 […] public health threats facing humanity.” And while the World Health Assembly launched a global action plan in 2015 to tackle the issue among human populations, equivalent high-level reports examining antibiotic overuse and misuse among animals, particularly domesticated species, are less prolific.

The agriculture industry is a known facilitator of AMR and is generally monitored accordingly, but administration of antibiotics on a smaller scale, such as in backyard farming and pet stores are routinely dismissed as insignificant contributors to the problem. However, it has been shown that pockets within the domestic sector still act as reservoirs for the development of AMR, therefore comprehensive surveillance programmes and frequent inspections are necessary.

Education is undoubtedly at the core of reform. Helping individuals understand how antibiotic overuse and misuse can affect their personal health, public health, and that of animals, and teaching responsible animal husbandry practices, will elicit a shift in attitude. Moreover, tighter regulations must be implemented by national governments regarding access to, and the disposal of, antibiotic medicines. Only through a concerted and consistent international effort can we hope to preserve the efficacy of antibiotics and safeguard the health of both humans and animals.

Courtesy of Saskia Sinha

Read More

Hong Kong is seeking to change the city’s wild animal protection laws to raise the maximum penalty for illegal feral pigeon feeding to HK$100,000 and imprisonment for one year. The proposed penalty would take effect next August, subject to approval by the legislature.

The Hong Kong Government published the Wild Animals Protection (Amendment) Bill 2023 , which intends to enhance the deterrence against illegal feeding activities, protect wild animals and improve environmental hygiene.

Read More

South Korea is planning to introduce a ban on dog meat consumption by the end of this year, Seoul authorities said.

Eating dog meat is neither explicitly prohibited nor legalized in South Korea, and successive governments have failed to make progress on pledges to stop the practice.

Public and political momentum to outlaw dog meat has been growing in the country as the centuries-old practice has fallen out of favour with most young Koreans. It has also attracted international criticism from international rights activists.

According to a government study last year, South Korea has about 1,150 dog farms and over half a million dogs raised for meat, a significantly smaller figure than decades ago. The declining demand for dog meat reflects a shift in public perception along with growing pet ownership in South Korea.

Read More

Hong Kong authorities have opened an investigation into an online trader suspected of selling dog meat, after internet users raised concerns over one of the business’ adverts on social media.

Authorities took on the case after social media users flagged an advert on the Facebook page of a vendor that offered “fresh and delicious” and “high quality” dog meat for HK$328 (US$42) per kilogram.

Read More

Norway’s Supreme Court handed down a final verdict that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breed is too sick and inbred for breeding to continue. They also ruled that the breeding of English bulldogs must fit with new frameworks, with breeding falling outside such frameworks to be illegal.

In Norway, Section 25 of the Animal Welfare Act (2009) clearly states that “breeding shall encourage characteristics resulting in robust animals that function well and avail of good health”. It goes on to specify that breeding cannot happen if offspring will likely have natural behaviour affected or if it could lead to ethical issues.

Read More

A one-month-old female puppy "Niu Niu" who lives in a temple in Hong Kong was recently beaten to the point where her skull was sunken, her brain was injured, her jaw was displaced and unable to bite, and she was blinded due to damage to her optic nerve.

Niu Niu is currently hospitalized in the NPV Intensive Care Unit, facing long and painful medical treatment.

Read More

On 18 October 2023, in a shocking incident of suspected animal abuse, an owner in Hong Lok Yuen’s residential area made a distressing discovery. While reclaiming their property in the presence of law enforcement officers, they stumbled upon approximately 35 adult mongrel cats left behind.

Upon entering the Hong Lok Yuen residential area, representatives from the cat shelter were confronted with an abhorrent environment, characterized by a thick layer of excrement and urine at the bottom of the cages. They noted that a majority of the cats seemed unwell, displaying unsteady movement, possibly indicating peritonitis, excessive drooling, oral inflammation, and skin problems. HK Cats Adoption revealed that most of the 35 adult mongrel cats had not been sterilized and ranged in age from 1 to 16 years.

It is imperative to consider your own ability and means before making a decision to house or take in any animals. Abandoning animals and letting them suffer because of one’s inability to take care of them is not compassion.

Read More

Researchers have gained new insights into the lives and losses of Eurasian otters in Hong Kong, as detailed in a paper published by Oryx—The International Journal of Conservation, published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of international wildlife conservation charity Fauna & Flora.

Hong Kong is one of the world’s busiest metropolises, and the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra is among its most threatened wildlife. Dependence on lowland wetlands makes it particularly susceptible to human disturbance. Moreover, the low-lying region within Hong Kong where most otters can be found has been earmarked for a government-led mega development plan.

By analysing a 131-year longitudinal dataset, the study provides the first long-term longitudinal overview of the distribution and abundance of the Eurasian otter in Hong Kong, revealing that the species was much more widespread and common in historical times.

The study’s findings show a drastic reduction in the range and abundance of Eurasian otters in Hong Kong between 1890 and 2020, and indicate that Hong Kong’s Deep Bay wetlands have always been the critical habitat for the local otter population – insights that have significant implications for conservation efforts.

Read More

Not long after the death of the Bryde’s whale in late July, another whale (likely to be a Pygmy sperm whale or dwarf sperm whale) was found in the Hong Kong waters. The last tragedy alerted the Hong Kong citizens and the government to act more promptly to prevent further injury caused to this second whale.

The necropsy team indicated the cause of death of the Bryde’s Whale, which was sighted in late July, was likely caused by the fresh cut in front of the whale’s dorsal fin by ship blades or propellers. Citizens and animal protection organisations blamed the government for its slow response regarding possible actions that could be done to protect the Bryde’s Whale

But the presence of these beautiful animals raises a more fundamental question - are we doing enough in Hong Kong to protect them? If not - what more should be done?

Courtesy of Eufrosina Liu

Read More

The Hong Kong Governments policy to ‘control’ the local boar population through culling continues to raise serious questions. The AFCD began euthanising wild pigs in November 2021 after a spike in the number of boars attacking humans and entering urban areas. The policy replaced the Government’s previous tactic of capturing, sterilising and relocating the animals.

A conservative estimate (and based on AFCD published data) indicates that there has been on average one boar killed per day this year - more than twice the number during the same period in 2022.

But it isn’t just local Governmental Departments that are contributing to the decline of the species population. There are more and more episodes of citizens taking matters into their own hands and capturing and killing boars - either through a pack hunt involving dogs or through the use of traps - contrary to the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, Cap 170.

We have highlighted 4 recent instances of boar’s in Hong Kong, in order to ask the question: what more can we do to protect these animals?

Courtesy of Eunice Lam

Read More

Hong Kong’s illegal wildlife trade is flourishing despite the enactment of tougher laws aimed at shutting down syndicates making millions of dollars off endangered species, with local authorities failing to use any of their new powers.

In 2020 and 2021 alone, customs seized more than 676 tonnes of endangered species estimated to be worth more than HK$221 million (US$28.2 million).

This unfortunately is a prime example of Hong Kong and its commitment (or lack thereof) o protecting animals. The introduction of wildlife crime into Schedule 1 of the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance, Cap 455 is to be applauded, but there needs to be the reciprocal enforcement and proper use of these extended investigatory powers to stop wildlife traffickers, or else the law becomes wholly ineffectual.

Introducing laws is only part of the solution, proper execution is where the law can have some bite.

Read More

Hong Kong police are investigating a case of animal cruelty after a dead cat was found hanging from a tree with a rope around its neck in North Point on Saturday.

According to the force, officers received a report at around 1.20pm and arrived at the North Point Promenade Pet Garden, where they found the brown and white cat hanging from a tree with a blue nylon rope around its neck.

Yet another sad and heartbreaking case of animals being abused in Hong Kong. When will it stop? When will the legislature and AFCD step in to amend Cap 169 to allow for greater protection to animals in Hong Kong?

Read More

Hong Kong added two major shark families to a list of endangered animals whose trade in the city will be tightly controlled under CITES regulations.

The city is one of the world’s largest markets for shark fin, which is viewed by many Chinese communities as a delicacy and often served as a soup at expensive banquets.

Its trade is regulated under an international treaty on endangered species that requires export permits proving it was sustainably captured.

Read More

A wild sparrow was found by a resident of To Kwa Wan with its wings taped together with kraft tape. After a call for help in a local resident’s Facebook group, the bird was caught and treated by animal volunteers.

The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society estimates based on the sparrow census in May this year that there are about 243,000 sparrows in Hong Kong, a slight decrease of about 10% from last year. Except for rural and commercial areas, the number of sparrows was lower than in the previous year.

Read More

On Monday September 11th, the Hong Kong Animal Post Instagram account (@hkanimalnews) reproduced the details of an incident reported to them by a concerned volunteer.

It involved an older man witnessed roaming Shing Mun Reservoir repeatedly shooting at monkeys with rocks using a rustic-looking slingshot. The volunteer further speculated that some rocks did in fact make contact with monkeys before they managed to escape down the mountain.

Chance encounters with wildlife are part and parcel of humans entering their natural habitat. Therefore, the normalisation of violence towards animals in such scenarios is problematic for the creation of a harmonious co-existence. Consistent and uniform application of the law by authorities unto individuals who choose to harm native wildlife is imperative to send a strong message that this type of behaviour will not be condoned.

Courtesy of Saskia Sinha

Read More

A 60 year old man who pleaded guilty to one count of cruelty to animals contrary to s 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, Cap 169 for breaking the wings of a wild pigeon, was sentenced to 10 days’ imprisonment.

The pigeon in this case was found to have suffered broken wings, with bleeding coming from its right wing, hair loss, exposure of its skin and open fractures.

Due to the severity of the injuries, the pigeon had to be euthanised.

Courtesy of HKALPO

Read More

"Born For The Wild, Not For Your Home."

Two conservation groups on Wednesday said Hong Kong's lenient pet trade regulations have made the city the world's top importer of exotic species.

WWF-Hong Kong and the ADM Capital Foundation said a study they carried out has found that Hong Kong imported more than five million animals of exotic species between 2015 and 2021, with more than half of them under threat of extinction.

The demand for exotic pets was one of the main reasons, the groups said, even though such animals are very difficult to look after properly.

Read More