Wildlife to look out for
Green Turtles
Sham Wan of Lamma Islands in Hong Kong can be termed as one of the restricted nesting places of green turtles in Hong Kong. With a severe decrease in population numbers of Green Turtles, the name derived due to the storage of green fat in the body; Hong Kong clears the shores before each nesting period.
Red Lacewing Butterfly and White Dragontail butterfly
Hong Kong is home to approximately 260 species of butterflies, most impressive among them includes the Red Lacewing Butterfly and the White Dragontail Butterfly, found in Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve, Tai Po Kau, Shing Mun Country Park and many other places. While Red Lacewing is locally uncommon with patches of red in its wings, the White Dragontail Butterfly has transparent wings with larger tailed hind wings.
Black-faced Spoonbill bird
The elegant looking Black-faced Spoonbill birds found wandering in the Hong Kong Wetland Park are a unique variety of spoonbill found in Eastern Asia. With a significant appearance, a more massive black bill and wispy crest, Black-faced Spoonbills are the only endangered among the spoonbill species.
Macaques
Kam Shan’s macaques, primarily rhesus and long-tailed macaques, are descendants of monkeys released in the 1920s to control poisonous strychnos plants around the reservoirs. While they’re a highlight of the park, their behavior can be unpredictable due to human feeding, which is illegal under Hong Kong’s Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (fine up to HK$100,000). Follow these guidelines to observe monkeys safely:
Park Entrance: Monkeys are often spotted near the Shek Lei Pui Reservoir stop, on Golden Hill Road, and around pavilions or trash cans.
Kowloon Reservoir: Walk across the dam wall to see monkeys in trees or near the water.
Picnic Areas: The picnic area uphill from the reservoir, about 20 minutes along Golden Hill Road, is a hotspot for macaque families in their treetop habitat.
Trails: Monkeys are less concentrated on forested trails but can be seen along the Kam Shan Family Walk or near reservoirs.
