Media

Unsustainable and illegal trade in wildlife threatens endangered and vulnerable species. The legislation and policies adopted by the Hong Kong government on both legal and illegal trade have significant impact on endangered species globally.

As a wildlife trading hub, Hong Kong in 2018 reported in the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Trade Database the import of over 350 CITES listed species from 36 territories, in the form of live animals to whole skins and finished carvings. In addition to the high volume of legal trade, reported smuggling cases prosecuted in Mainland China between 2014 and 2018 show that, in 50% of cases involving rhino horn and tiger bone, the contraband entered the Mainland via Hong Kong.

Associate Professor Amanda Whitfort at the Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Dr Fiona Woodhouse, Deputy Director (Welfare) of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (HKSPCA) reviewed the effectiveness of Hong Kong’s controls on legal and illegal trade in endangered and threatened species of animals in a two-year study supported by the University Grants Committee’s General Research Fund.

The findings reveal that the current legislative framework, primarily provided by the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, has not been sufficiently deterrent, and the increasing volume of trade in wildlife has made the legislation difficult to enforce against traffickers. To better deter wildlife trafficking through Hong Kong, the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance should be amended to include wildlife crimes.

Professor Whitfort and Dr Woodhouse will release the detailed findings and recommendations on legislative changes and other measures in a media conference tomorrow (October 23,  Friday). Details are as below:

Date: October 23, 2020 (Friday)
Time: 11am
Venue: Moot Court, 2/F Cheng Yu Tung Tower, Centennial Campus, Faculty of Law, the University of Hong Kong
*Infection control measures enforced at University entrances, media representatives will be requested to show their press pass, name card and the press invitation upon entry.

For media enquiries, please contact Communications and Public Affairs Office Ms Melanie Wan, Senior Manager (Media), Tel: 2859 2600 / Email: melwkwan@hku.hk.