Beyond Hong Kong’s glittering skyscrapers and bustling harbor lies an ecological wonderland few international visitors expect. While the city is renowned as a financial hub, over 40% of its land remains protected natural space – a sanctuary for species ranging from fireflies in abandoned rice paddies to endangered Chinese white dolphins in its waters.
Trails of Coexistence
In the island’s hilly interiors, feral cattle descended from wartime farm animals now graze alongside migratory birds like black-faced spoonbills. The Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, a former agricultural research station, has become a critical rehabilitation center for rescued pangolins and leopard cats.
Coastal Adaptations
Macaque troops navigate seaside forests near residential areas, while rare Hong Kong newts breed in streams mere kilometers from subway stations. Conservationists report increased sightings of Eurasian otters in restored wetlands, signaling ecological recovery.
Urban Wilderness Balance
This unique coexistence faces challenges as climate change and development pressures mount. However, initiatives like the Mai Po Nature Reserve’s migratory bird monitoring program and rooftop urban farms demonstrate how Asia’s world cities can pioneer sustainable cohabitation models.
