Great Outdoors

Great outdoors As peak hiking season arrives, the Post begins a series looking at some Yellow- crested cockatoo Cacatua sulphurea of the highlights of Hong Kong's natural world. Keep an eye out during your walks for these creatures, some of which are rare or under threat. Status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species Common resident. Found in Hong Kong Park, Pok Fu Lam, Happy Valley. Mong Tseng, Sai Kung and Ocean Park LC Least concern NT Near threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically endangered Bamboo snake Cryptelytrops (Trimeresurus) albolabris One of 14 native venomous snakes in Hong Kong - found on grass and shrubland. Bite is rarely lethal Black kite Milvus migrans O Red-whiskered bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Japanese paradise flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata Widely found, even inside the city Widely found in Hong Kong Visits Hong Kong but does not breed here. Found at Tai Po Kau, Pok Fu Lam and The Peak Covered by scales Chinese pangolin EN Manis pentadactyla A protected species in Hong Kong under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance. Sighted in many places, but numbers are low - it is hunted illegally and used for traditional Chinese medicine Leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis Widely found in forested areas in Hong Kong, except on Lantau Island Sharp claws Неavy horns Fairy pitta Pitta nympha Water buffalo Bubalus bubalis Found in Kam Tin, and the southern part of Lantau İsland, Their IUCN status has not been determined Passes through Hong Kong in the winter but breeds in northeast Asia. Its numbers are decreasing in Hong Kong, but it can be spotted in Pok Fu Lam, Deep Water Bay, Tai Po Kau, Shek Kong and Kap Lung Grey hair Reeves' muntjac Muntiacus reevesi Males have antlers Also called the barking deer, it lives in forests, preferably at an elevation. Protected in Hong Kong Burmese python Python molurus bivittatus Chestnut-red hair One of the six largest snakes in the world, growing to an average length of 3.7 metres. Widely distributed across Hong Kong, they are semi-aquatic and often found near water They are good climbers and have prehensile tails Chinese cobra Naja atra Blackish spoon-like bill Black-faced spoonbill Platalea minor They produce a distinctive, shrill, dog-like bark, used both as a warning to others of nearby predators and for mating Found in Hong Kong in a diverse array of habitats. They become defensive if disturbed and their bite can be lethal. Their IUCN status has not been determined Common winter visitor. Globally endangered species that stays in Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site every year Golden coin turtle Cuora trifasciata Has three distinct black strips on his brown and golden carapace Hunted for Chinese medicine, it is one of the world's most endangered turtles. Lives in clear mountain streams Chinese porcupine Hystrix hodgsoni Oriental garden lizard Calotes versicolor May grow to up to 1.65m long Lives in small family groups in caves or rock crevices. They have long quills on the neck and back for defence Loves the sun and is often seen in open fields. Has large scales down its surface Romer's tree frog Liuixalus romeri *X" mark Is endemic to Hong Kong, and the smallest frog in the territory. Found in Lantau Island, Lamma Island, Po Toi and Chek Lap Kok Note: illustrations are not to scale 1.5cm Sources: International Union for Conservation of Nature: WWF SCMP Graphic: Adolfo Arranz