bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Kylie Knott

Conservationists jumped for joy this month when news surfaced that rare leopard cats were thriving in Hong Kong.
A year-long survey discovered nine leopard cats, including two juveniles, in Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, a 148-hectare conservation space for Hong Kong’s native plants and animals.
People might be shocked to learn that Hong Kong is home to such animals as leopard cats, the only native wild cat in the city.
As one of the world’s most densely populated cities, Hong Kong is usually portrayed as a concrete jungle with bustling neon-drenched streets and towering skyscrapers.

But it is also one of the greenest cities, the outlying islands and its 24 designated country parks are the ideal environment for critters great and small to thrive.
The city has about 200 species of butterflies, more than 100 species of dragonflies and a rich population of birds, around 550 species, accounting for one-third of all bird species found in China.
Pink dolphins can be spotted in its waters while wild buffalo roam the beaches. There are bats and boars as well as macaques, mongooses and civet cats.
It also has a species of native deer, the Northern Red Muntjac. With long and protruding canine teeth, this herbivore is better – and aptly – known as barking deer.

“If you hear what sounds like a combination of a dog barking and someone being slowly murdered, then it is probably a barking deer,” said Robert Ferguson, founder of Wildcreatures Hong Kong, a blog and guide celebrating local animals.
“People have been scared out of their wits by their strange call,” said Ferguson, adding that the deer is shy, most likely because they were once illegally hunted for the male’s musk glands that were used in perfumes and Chinese medicine.
Another mammal, the Eurasian otter, can also be found in Hong Kong, although numbers are low as pollution and habitat loss take a toll.
The water-loving nocturnal creature, which grows up to a metre long and feeds on fish, molluscs, crabs and frogs, has been protected in Hong Kong since 1976.

Adding to the diverse wildlife is the East Asian porcupine. With a spiky armour of quills, it is one of Hong Kong’s most common large mammals but difficult to spot, their powerful sense of hearing and smell warning them of approaching humans.
Another mammal found in Hong Kong is the small-toothed ferret badger.
Active at dusk and at night, Ferguson warned people not to be fooled by its looks. “Although cute it can be savage when alarmed and its anal secretions are foul-smelling.”
Also, the city boasts grey shrews, the smaller of the two types of shrew found in Hong Kong, the other being the musk shrew. But sightings are rare.

Generally solitary, they have a voracious appetite and it is said they have to eat their body weight every 24 hours. Their diet includes insects and earthworms. Other small animals are also on the menu.


Awol Erizku refuses to be typecast

Backlash against ‘sexy’ Chinese sportswomen a reflection of traditional values, experts say

We can all play a part for friendlier skies in Hong Kong

Close watch on Hong Kong’s new panda mum Ying Ying as food tastes change after birth of twins

Trending in Hong Kong

Critter city: barking deer, savage badgers and wildcats, concrete jungle Hong Kong has alter ego as a wildlife paradise

Aside from its well-known skyscrapers and neon lights, Hong Kong is also a haven for hundreds of animal species, many of them of the strange variety. Photo: SCMP Composite

Normally portrayed as a concrete jungle, Hong Kong is home to rarely seen wildlife and some unusual animals like porcupines, barking deer and civet cats. Photo: SCMP Composite   

Hong Kong has the world’s second most densely populated known leopard cat habitats. Photo: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden/HANDOUT PHOTO

Among the city’s animal residents is the small-toothed ferret badger. Photo: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden 

Otters in Hong Kong are notoriously hard to spot. Photo: Shutterstock

The city has about 200 species of butterflies, including the Swallowtail. Photo: Martin Chan/SCMP

‘Heavenly banking’: religious racketeers dupe Hong Kong woman to deposit US$25,000 into ‘account on the other side’

A Hong Kong woman who was duped into depositing US$25,000 into “an account in heaven” by “religious” racketeers has fallen out with her family. Photo: SCMP Composite

“Religious” racketeers have duped a Hong Kong woman out of US$25,000 after convincing her to deposit funds in a account “in heaven”. Photo: SCMP Composite

Victims of the racket were lured to a “prayer hall” which mimicked scenes such as smouldering incense sticks. Photo: Shutterstock

The racketeers preyed on older people with insecurities and traditional beliefs. 

‘I’m going now, don’t cry’: dying man in China tells wife in last words to be happy and not compromise in life, awe millions with their deep love

A video of an 88-year-old man about to die telling his distraught wife to be happy and live her life has gone viral on the mainland. Photo: SCMP composite/handout

The couple were married for more than six decades, with the husband dying the day after their 64th wedding anniversary. Photo: Douyin

The emotive video of the dying man’s last words has been watched by more than 32 million people, moved by the strength of the couple’s love after so many years together. Photo: Douyin

‘I’m to blame, I don’t make enough’: low-income parents of conjoined twins in China seeking help with medical bills, attacked for skipping prenatal tests

‘It’s me who is to blame because I’m not able to make enough money. My wife was just trying to help save money,’ says the twins’ father. Photo: SCMP composite/Handout

The mother underwent basic screening tests but as their local hospital had limited resources and they had limited funds, the couple did not pursue advanced screening. Photo: Shutterstock

Some people online were openly hostile towards the couple and had no sympathy for their situation. Photo: Shutterstock

‘He conquers women’s hearts’: high-heeled hi-jinks of Chinese shoe seller who models his own stilettos sees sales spike

The fortunes of a Chinese businessman who sells women’s shoes have taken a turn for the better after he started modelling high-heel shoes himself, winning the hearts of his customers. Photo: SCMP Composite 

Chinese online shoe seller, Wu Nan, has seen sales volumes rocket ever since he started modelling high heels himself and posting energetic online videos. Photo: SCMP Composite

Shoe salesman Wu Nan strikes a pose on the treadmill. His high-heeled hi-jinks have seen sales spike. Photo: Weibo

As well as modelling women’s shoes, Wu Nan also offers advice on how to measure your feet and what shoes women should buy. Photo: Baidu 

‘Everyone is crazy’: money-mad mob in grasping frenzy after family in China throws US$3,000 from   balcony at birthday party

A guest, who was surprised by the money-throwing, says she didn’t join it because she’d just had surgery and feared being injured by the money-mad mob. Photo: SCMP Composite/Handout

Guests lost it when the family began throwing hundred yuan notes from their first-floor balcony during the party. Photo: Weibo

Some people who saw the viral video were critical of the family for not ‘showing respect’. Photo: Weibo

News

People & Culture

Environment

Famous for its skyscrapers and neon nightscapes, there is a much unheralded other side to Asia’s World City
Densely-packed city has 24 country parks and it’s not rare to see an array of wild animals roaming free


Often perceived as a concrete jungle, Hong Kong also packs a punch in the traditional sense of the word as home to a wide, varied and often scary assortment of wild animals.


Trending in China

Critter city: barking deer, savage badgers and wildcats, concrete jungle Hong Kong has alter ego as a wildlife paradise

Famous for its skyscrapers and neon nightscapes, there is a much unheralded other side to Asia’s World City Densely-packed city has 24 country parks and it’s not rare to see an array of wild animals roaming free

Famous for its skyscrapers and neon nightscapes, there is a much unheralded other side to Asia’s World City

Densely-packed city has 24 country parks and it’s not rare to see an array of wild animals roaming free