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Within six months after ten Chinese sturgeons were sent to Hong Kong as a gift, three have died and another two taken ill. Some citizens and councillors criticized the Ocean Park for poor management and suggested these treasures of China be returned to the mainland and raised there. Responding to the remarks, Li Yanliang, deputy general director of Aquatic Wild Fauna and Flora Administration Office of the Ministry of Agriculture, told Wenweipo that the casualties were accidents and the conservation system of the Ocean Park had nothing to do with the casualties. (The ministry has taken the two sick fish back to Xiamen for treatment. )
Li said that Chinese sturgeons had no problem adapting to the environment in Hong Kong, and that the Ocean Park had been working very hard and had exercised due diligence in the conservation and scientific research of these rare species of China. He cited the low mortality rate of Chinese sturgeons and the inexperience of the Ocean Park in raising these fish under particular circumstances as reasons for the casualties.
Li also pointed out that due to specific reasons such as the issuance of visa, mainland experts could usually stay in Hong Kong for a very limited period of time. The tight schedule had hindered full communications and exchanges of techniques between the two sides. Even in cases of emergency, mainland experts were unable to give first-aid assistance. At present, the relevant authorities of the mainland and those of the HKSAR are discussing the possibility of arranging mainland experts to be stationed in the Ocean Park. This allows specialists from the mainland to work closely with the conservationists in Hong Kong on better scientific research and conservation of the Chinese sturgeons.
Chinese sturgeon is a rare fish found only in China. Their existence can be traced back to 140 million years ago and they are an endangered species today. The sturgeons are also nicknamed panda in the water and living fossils from the dinosaur age as a compliment. November last year, to celebrate the eleventh anniversary of Hong Kong returning to its motherland, the Ministry of Agriculture sent to the Ocean Park five sturgeons selected in Beijing and Xiamen. Shortly after their arrival, one of them was bitten to death by a barracudas in the Park. The Ministry sent another five sturgeons afterwards, but two have died of illness and another two fallen ill. !@!1/2Translated by
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