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| 香港海洋公園保育基金 | |
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| Type | Registered charitable non-governmental organisation |
|---|---|
| Established | July 1, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-07-01) (following the merging of the former Ocean Park Conservation Foundation (OPCF) and the Hong Kong Society for Panda Conservation (HKSPC)) |
| Chairman | Ms Judy Chen |
| Location | Hong Kong, China |
| Website | opcf |
| Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 香港海洋公園保育基金 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 香港海洋公园保护基金 | ||||||||||
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| Hong Kong Society for Panda Conservation | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 香港熊貓保育協會 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 香港熊猫保育协会 | ||||||||||
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| Ocean Park Conservation Foundation | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 海洋公園鯨豚保護基金 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 海洋公园鲸豚保护基金 | ||||||||||
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The Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (Chinese: 香港海洋公園保育基金), commonly referred to by its initialism OPCFHK, is a registered charitable non-governmental organisation under the Ocean Park Corporation. It was established on 1 July 2005, following the merger of the former Ocean Park Conservation Foundation (OPCF) and the Hong Kong Society for Panda Conservation (HKSPC).
Its head office is located in Ocean Park Hong Kong in Aberdeen, Southern District.
OPCFHK has not only combined the missions of its predecessors to promote conservation activities for dolphins, whales, and giant pandas but has also expanded its efforts to include other animals, such as birds, reptiles, and amphibians across Asia. It aims to achieve wildlife sustainability and biodiversity by advocating, facilitating, and participating in the conservation of wildlife and habitats through research and education in Asia.
Primarily funded by Ocean Park Hong Kong, the Foundation also relies on support from other compassionate corporations and donors to make a meaningful impact on conservation efforts across Asia.
Background
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Whales, dolphins, and porpoises (cetaceans) in the rivers and coastal waters of Asia face numerous threats. Without prompt and decisive action, many of them, or even entire species, are likely to become extinct within the coming decade.
It is acknowledged that little was known about cetaceans and marine mammals in Asia, highlighting the need for further research to provide the foundation for effective conservation. Although the situation has improved, there remains a significant risk that baiji dolphins (Chinese river dolphins) could become extinct in the coming decades. Our environment is continuously losing biodiversity due to pollution and overexploitation. Human-induced climatic change, toxic chemical accumulation, and energy shortages have further exacerbated the problem.
Although the population of giant pandas has increased from 1,000 in the 1980s to 1,600 in recent years, their long-term survival remains uncertain. In addition to the significant threats faced by whales, dolphins, and giant pandas, many other species are also disappearing at an alarming rate.
A recent threat is the chytrid fungal infection, which has spread through Central America, has been detected in Australia, and could easily spread to Asia. This infection is devastating amphibian populations, which have already been declining for the past decade due to environmental degradation and now face the risk of extinction.
History
The former Ocean Park Conservation Foundation
The Ocean Park Conservation Foundation (OPCF, 海洋公園鯨豚保護基金) was established by the Ocean Park Corporation in October 1993. Its aim was to raise public awareness of the challenges facing Asian cetaceans and to take action to protect the Asian oceans.
OPCF became a registered charitable organisation in 1995. It merged with the Hong Kong Society for Panda Conservation on 1 July 2005.
The Hong Kong Society for Panda Conservation
The Hong Kong Society for Panda Conservation (HKSPC, 香港熊貓保育協會) is an independent charitable organisation. It was established in March 1999 following the arrival of a pair of giant pandas from China, named An An (安安) and Jia Jia (佳佳).
The aim of HKSPC is to improve the plight of giant pandas in the wild. The society is supported by the Central Government of the People's Republic of China. Ocean Park Corporation has also provided administrative and financial support.
Starting from 1 July 2005, HKSPC merged with the former Ocean Park Conservation Foundation to form the current OPCFHK.
Merging of OPCF and HKSPC
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Cooperation between zoos and aquariums in providing prominent leadership in wildlife and habitat conservation is critical in the 21st century, as the world faces rising environmental threats, climate change, and shrinking biodiversity. Zoos and aquariums are well-positioned to make significant contributions to the international response to these crises through their fieldwork, research, and by educating over 600 million annual visitors. Strategic cooperation will help remove barriers to global conservation efforts and strengthen the ability of zoos and aquariums to promote effective animal management practices, the conservation of wild populations, field projects, and public education.
As a more resourceful single conservation foundation, the new OPCFHK is able to utilise marketing resources to promote conservation work and collaborate towards the goals of zero extinction and the sustainable use of natural resources. With combined resources from the two former organisations, greater focus can be placed on investigating non-charismatic megafauna, in addition to the emphasis on charismatic megafauna as umbrella species to protect wildlife habitats.
More efficient conservation and better prospects for saving other critical taxa and the ecosystem as a whole are made possible through the conglomeration.
Organisation structure
The foundation's activities are currently led by the Foundation Director, who is supervised by a board of trustees and an eight-member Scientific Advisory Committee. It has two full-time paid staff members, who are assisted by a team of part-time staff and volunteers.
The foundation collaborates with other non-governmental organisations, such as the IUCN/SSC Cetacean Specialist Group, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the World Wide Fund for Nature, and the University of Hong Kong's Swire Institute of Marine Science.
Research and projects
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OPCFHK (and the former OPCF) has launched a number of studies and projects on wildlife. Environmental conservation is one of the key areas of focus. The foundation has also actively organised various educational programmes and public awareness initiatives.
Research on dolphins
In addition to efforts to save endangered dolphins in the Yangtze River, OPCF has also conducted a detailed research study on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in Hong Kong. Furthermore, OPCF has funded a study on the conservation status of humpback dolphins in Xiamen.
Other research studies include those on Irrawaddy dolphins in northern Borneo, Malaysia, and the Mahakam River and lakes in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Additionally, a new action plan has been developed for the next five years to support dolphins in the Gulf of Tonkin, spanning Vietnam and China.
OPCF published a special issue of Asian Marine Biology focusing on Asian whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
Research on the status of cetaceans in the Gulf of Tonkin
OPCF conducted a project investigating the status of cetaceans in the Gulf of Tonkin from October 1999 to April 2000. This programme was sponsored by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Species Survival Commission Cetacean Specialist Group, with donations from the Convention on Migratory Species. The research provided information on the distribution and abundance of cetaceans in the Gulf of Tonkin, as well as the distribution and density of fishing vessels and the frequency and nature of accidental and intentional cetacean catches.
Projects on horseshoe crabs
Horseshoe crabs are not listed as endangered species, but their numbers are declining to the point where they could soon be considered for extinction. The City University of Hong Kong conducted a study on horseshoe crabs in Hong Kong. The results showed that, in recent years, only 1 or 2 crabs can be found in every 1,000 m (10,764 sq ft), a decrease of 90% over four years compared to 10 to 20 crabs per 1,000 m² in 2002.
The biggest threat to the horseshoe crab population comes from pollution and the development of the city's shorelines, which are destroying the habitats where the creatures lay eggs and breed.
In light of this, OPCFHK offered funding of 5 million dollars in 2006–2007 to save marine animals and horseshoe crabs. They have also been working on an improvement project for life-supporting facilities for infant horseshoe crabs before they are released into the wild. To raise public awareness, educational events are held within Hong Kong's territories to address the background, ecology, and conservation issues of horseshoe crabs.
Satellite tracking of the Yangtze finless porpoise
The Yangtze finless porpoise is listed as a First Class Protected Animal in China. OPCF sponsored a study from August 1999 to May 2000 to track the movement of the finless porpoise for 3 to 6 months using satellite technology. The data gathered were used to analyse their group structure, seasonal movement patterns, habitat requirements, and social behaviour. This research will help improve conservation programmes for the finless porpoise.
Research on other marine mammals
Instead of focusing solely on helping dolphins, OPCF has also funded scientific projects in various areas. For example, between 2002 and 2003, it funded the establishment of stranding networks in China, primarily along its southern and northern coasts, aimed at assisting injured or sick marine mammals. Additionally, it has supported other organisations globally in conducting research.
Research on giant pandas
Due to deforestation for agricultural land use, the giant panda has been forced to migrate higher up the mountains. Over the last two decades, the area of the pandas' habitat has decreased by 50%. Their habitat now occupies only a total area of 14,000 km, where they face a low reproductive rate.
Institutional policies to protect the giant panda population:
- Government-enforced policies have been implemented to halt the development of forest areas in China.
- Bamboo corridors have been designed to link fragmented forest areas.
- Artificial insemination has proven successful in breeding giant pandas. Institutes in China, such as the Wolong National Nature Reserve and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, have successfully bred many giant panda infants.
- As some of the people living in these forests are often poor and rely on the pandas' habitat for food, the conservation programme is designed to improve their livelihoods and educate them on the importance of protecting the natural reserves for the pandas.
Projects on planting mangrove
Mangrove plants play an important role in maintaining the stability and ecological balance of coastal ecosystems, but they have been destroyed in the past due to reclamation and infrastructure development in Hong Kong. In response to this, OPCF launched a Mangrove Planting Day in collaboration with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department on 6 May 2000 to conserve mangroves in Hong Kong. Mangroves were planted in Kei Ling Ha Lo Wai, Sai Kung, by volunteers from the Scout Association of Hong Kong and OPCF.
International Coastal Cleanup (ICC)
A campaign jointly organised by OPCFHK and Ocean Park's Environmental Steering Committee. On 7 October 2006, around 80 participants collected over 750 pounds of refuse.
University Sponsorship Programme 2005–06
Eight students from the Department of Ecology and Biodiversity at the University of Hong Kong conducted research on giant pandas and white-flag dolphins, sponsored by OPCFHK. They recently participated in four different field research projects. The four projects included studying:
- The endangered Chinese white dolphins in Guangxi
- The ecosystem of the Defending Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province
- The population of finless porpoises and white-flag dolphins in Poyang Lake (鄱陽湖), China
- Giant pandas using enrichment items designed by students to stimulate the animals mentally and physically
Allocation of funds
The raised funds are generally allocated to three different aspects:
- Ecological and behavioural research on cetaceans, giant pandas, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and other wildlife in Asia
- Research on captive animals and various aspects of their behaviour and husbandry
- Projects, workshops, and conferences related to education, conservation, and ecotourism
In 2005–2007, OPCFHK donated 10 percent of its scientific research funding to study the impact of the South Asian tsunami disaster on the marine environment and to help rebuild damaged corals. "The tsunami tragedy has left the coastal regions of South Asia in massive need of reconstruction," said Nora Tam, trustee chair of OPCFHK. "In our efforts to conserve, we need to rebuild the coral reefs and fragile coastal ecosystems so that the environment can be better than before, allowing both animals and human communities to thrive."
From November 2005 to January 2006, the Foundation sponsored six students from the University of Hong Kong to conduct research projects, providing them with the opportunity to experience real-life conservation work in the field.
See also
References
- "Contact Us". Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
OPCFHK, Ocean Park, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
- the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy Archived 16 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine Executive summary
- "SSC Specialist Groups". www.iucn.org. Archived from the original on 16 October 2004.
- "use www.wildlifeinformation.org to view full site: Website Ref - W289 - Ocean Park". www.wildlifeinformation.org. Archived from the original on 22 August 2006.
- ^ "Dolphins and Porpoises". www.opcf.org.hk. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007.
- "OPCFHK Marine Mammal - Other Marine Mammals". www.opcf.org.hk. Archived from the original on 27 June 2006.
- "OPCFHK Save the Giant Pandas". www.opcf.org.hk. Archived from the original on 24 October 2007.
- "Report on Public Awareness and Fund Raising Programmes". www.opcf.org.hk. Archived from the original on 25 February 2007.
- "People's Daily Online -- Hong Kong university students help save endangered animals". english.people.com.cn. 10 March 2006. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012.
- "Welcome to Visit the Web On Poyang Lake of Jiangxi". www.poyanglake.net. Archived from the original on 22 November 2003.
- "The Standard - Marine group pledges to rebuild damaged corals - Metro Section". www.thestandard.com.hk. Archived from the original on 21 March 2007.