Four animal species to spot on Lantau Island, Hong Kong’s last frontier for biodiversity
- From strange barks to a peculiar little frog, land mass holds trove of biological gems that city stands to lose if balance between man and nature is fractured
While Hong Kong struggles to squeeze its ballooning population into every available inch of land, it is surprisingly not short on greenery and wildlife – boasting natural landscapes that rival its notorious concrete jungles.
Large swathes of Lantau Island, known as the “lung of Hong Kong” are among remaining frontiers still harbouring rich biodiversity. More than half of the 147 square-kilometre land mass has been designated as country park territory by the government.
Earlier this month, ecologists from the University of Hong Kong announced the discovery of three new species of ant. They named one type Strumigenys lantaui, after Lantau Island, where it was found. In light of this, the researchers stressed the need to protect the area’s indigenous ecosystem.
Move deeper into Lantau’s rural heart and other forms of wildlife can be found. For example, the island is home to 50 types of native snakes – a strikingly high figure given that the Amazon, one of the most ecologically diverse regions on Earth, holds 150 species.
City Weekend takes a closer look at what lies in Hong Kong’s countryside, and the biodiversity that the city stands to lose if the balance between development and nature is broken.
Wild cows and water buffalo
These feral animals, once bred for agriculture, have become part of the environment and a common sight on the island. With the decline of Hong Kong’s farming industry over the past 30 years, the bovine population has roamed free and grown about 15 per cent annually.
