World Animal Day
On World Animal Day (4 Oct), please consider Hong Kong’s role in the trade of native and exotic wildlife.
Hong Kong is a gateway to mainland China and it is an important hub for the exotic pet trade some of which remains locally and some which transits through HK to other destinations in Asia.
KFBG has been playing an important role for more than 20 years supporting the enforcement actions of the Authorities by holding seized wildlife while investigations and legal action are undertaken. Our role helps to ensure that the most appropriate outcome for the animals that have been exploited and entered the pet trade, is realised. This may mean returning to country of origin or placement in an accredited conservation programme somewhere in the world.
Besides dealing with animals from the pet trade, the Wild Animal Rescue Centre also assists in the rescue and rehabilitation of many thousands of local native animals that come into difficulties and are injured or sick. On World Animal Day we are proud to announce that we have rescued over 62,000 animals through our programme since we started more than two decades ago.
ADMCF, an NGO fighting Illegal Wildlife Trade, recently published a paper providing a synopsis on the local pet trade and suggesting additional steps the authorities could take to tackle the growing exotic animal trade.
“Position paper on the Live Exotic Animal Pet Trade”
A black pond turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii), rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, in its temporary home at the KFBG Wild Animal Rescue Centre.
Photo credit: Vance Mak
Besides dealing with animals from the pet trade the Wild Animal Rescue Centre at KFBG also assists in the rescue and rehabilitation of many thousands of local native animals that come into difficulties and are injured or sick. This is a young masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) received during the summer of 2022.
Photo credit: KFBG/ Cori Law
