Since 2006, we have been supporting the Cetacean Stranding Response Team of Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (OPCFHK). This team collaborates with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) to investigate dolphin and porpoise strandings in Hong Kong. Every year, as many as 50 cetaceans are found stranded on Hong Kong beaches or floating in Hong Kong waters. As most of the carcasses are highly decomposed when found, the cause of death can only be determined in 10% of cases. From these, OPCFHK concludes that the 3 major causes of death are fishing net entanglement, boat strike, and infection.
To share our expertise and experience, our teams co-organised regional marine mammal stranding workshops in the Philippines, Indonesia and China, to provide training for local responders to marine mammal strandings. During the workshops, we shared techniques on live stranding procedures, husbandry and medical care, as well as necropsy and wet laboratory analysis.
Since June 2016, the team has expanded its collaboration with the AFCD to include both live and dead strandings of threatened sharks and rays in Hong Kong.
With our expertise in animal care, we have been instrumental in rehabilitating animals confiscated or rescued by the AFCD. Species we have cared for include green turtles, hawksbill turtles, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, green and black poison arrow frogs, Malayan box turtles, Napoleon fish and Chinese giant salamanders.
We make every effort to help rescued wildlife recover, and whenever the AFCD deems suitable, rescued wildlife is released back into the wild. Since 2000, the Park has treated and released 80 sea turtles in conjunction with the AFCD. Satellite transmitters, metal tags and microchips have been attached to their carapaces to record their oceanic voyages. This work further facilitates understanding about the natural history of these endangered animals, critical to the enhancement of conservation work.
Every rescue is an opportunity to improve understanding about threats to species and to obtain more clues on ways to protect them. A healthy habitat is essential for their return to the wild. You can help by keeping the environment clean!
Our team has travelled to other parts of the world to help with the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of animals.
| Countries | Cases |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Supported the reproduction and egg incubation of a crocodile |
| Cambodia | Treated an aging elephant with a deformed foot |
| Indonesia |
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| Philippines | Rescued, rehabilitated, and released over 3,800 Palawan forest turtles, a critically endangered species confiscated from illegal wildlife traders |
| Turkey | Conducted medical procedures on dolphins |
