Habitat restoration planned to bring back glow of Hong Kong’s fireflies
This follows a successful case at Kwan Tei river, part of a HK$1.2 million government initiative to improve biodiversity
Every day from May to September when the sun dips below the horizon, dozens of fluorescent green flickering dots slowly emerge from a river bank in the New Territories.
Three years ago along the same river in Kwan Tei, firefly expert Mark Mak Siu-fung spotted only five lightning bugs. Today the number has risen tenfold to more than 50 after authorities restored the river channel habitat.
“It might seem like a small number, but in fact it’s a really big breakthrough,” Mak said.
The magical two-hour firefly light show is a rare sight in the neon-lit city as the creatures can only thrive in dim, grassy environments, accompanied by clean water.
As darkness falls and neighbouring village lights are turned on, one by one, the drifting emerald pinpricks of light flicker out.