{"id":180746,"date":"2021-06-22T10:00:21","date_gmt":"2021-06-22T02:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/?p=180746"},"modified":"2021-06-21T21:12:33","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T13:12:33","slug":"wild-animals-in-hong-kong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/wild-animals-in-hong-kong\/","title":{"rendered":"Fantastic beasts and where to find them! All the indigenous wild animals in Hong Kong"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve lived in Hong Kong for a while now, you\u2019ll know the jungle<\/em> part of concrete jungle<\/em> is quite literal. Hong Kong\u2019s wild animals are mostly hidden, but the minute you get your hiking shoes on and set out and about, that\u2019s when the fantastic beasts start to show up. Whether it\u2019s monkeys looking for a treat at Shing Mun<\/a>, or cows out for a chill day at Tap Mun<\/a>, there\u2019s more from where that comes from. Here\u2019s where you can find wild animals in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

Indigenous wild animals in Hong Kong and where to find them<\/h2>\n

Wild animals in Hong Kong: Mammals<\/h3>\n

1. Pink dolphins<\/h3>\n
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The majestic pink dolphins (Photography: @lachlanjdempsey via Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Though the numbers of pink dolphins have been drastically declining over the years, more conservation efforts have been put in place to protect our friendly and unique dorsal finned pals. The pink colour is a result of underdeveloped blood vessels, not a lack of pigmentation.<\/p>\n

Where to spot:<\/strong> Head over to Lantau<\/a>. Once you reach Tai O<\/a>, there are boat tours that take you close to the dolphin\u2019s habitat. However, these boat tours actually pose a threat to these creatures and it\u2019s quite rare to spot them as they swim away when boats near them.<\/p>\n

2. Leopard cat<\/h3>\n
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Leopard cats in Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (Photography: Wildcreatures Hong Kong via Facebook)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The beautiful leopard print on this wild cat may send one off guard thinking they\u2019ve actually come face to face with a leopard. These cats are much smaller than a leopard but definitely bigger than your average pet cat. You\u2019ll find them residing in woodlands and rainforests, but it\u2019s very rare to spot one during your leisurely hike. The colour and pattern of their fur camouflage so well, it\u2019s so easy to miss them.<\/p>\n

Where to spot:<\/strong> Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden in Tai Po, aside from the wild.<\/p>\n

3. Mask Palm Civet<\/h3>\n
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This mask palm civet\u2019s baby-face resembles a sugar glider! (Photography: Animalia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The masked palm civet is also known as the gem-faced civet (Paguma larvata). They can get quite large, with the adult body up to 70cm or more, and a tail of another 60cm. The baby-faced cuties don\u2019t attack humans but there were conspiracies that they played a role in spreading SARS. Having said that, if you do ever come across one (it\u2019s RARE), be wary because they can spray a pungent gas like skunks. This breed of civet is less in numbers compared to others, and they are nocturnal.<\/p>\n

Where to spot:<\/strong> Your best chance is to camp overnight at Mai Po Nature Reserve.<\/p>\n

4. Bat<\/h3>\n
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The Greater Bamboo Bat (Photography: Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Long gone are the days where you thought bats can only be found inside deep, dark caves. Bats are common in both rural and urban areas in Hong Kong (we\u2019ve even spotted one flying around an urban park in Sha Tin!)<\/p>\n

Where to spot:<\/strong> If you\u2019re looking to spot the rarer kind (Greater Bamboo bat), you can find them only at the Plover Cove Country Park. Also, the Leschenault’s Rousette can be found in water tunnels in Nam Chung, Tung Tze, and Shek Kong (be alarmed; you\u2019ll find a whole chunk nestled together)<\/p>\n

5. Wild boar<\/h3>\n
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So it\u2019s wild boar on the MTR Friday (video shared to me via whatsapp) pic.twitter.com\/r4UBf5IAmZ<\/a><\/p>\n

— Murkrow\ud80c\udd63 #ACAB (@ginkgogoes) June 18, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n