Wrapped in a concrete forest, Hong Kong is not known to be a place
for viewing wild animals. In actuality, Hong Kong is home to the Chinese White Dolphins, one of the most adorable animals in the world.
Until the Hong Kong government selected the Chinese White Dolphins as the mascot for the city’s reunification with China in 1997, most people
in Hong Kong did not know of their existence. We thought dolphins are
performers at Ocean Park, not wild animals swimming in our own backyard.
I first saw a pink dolphin about twenty months ago in Lantau
Island against the backdrop of the Chek Lap Kok International Airport. The animal emerged out of the water and quickly disappeared once again. My brief encounter with this saintly creature captured my imagination. It was the closest thing to a "sea unicorn" that I have ever seen.
Traditionally, the Narwhal dolphins of the Arctic are compared to the
legendary unicorn. The Chinese White Dolphins definitely deserve the same compliment.
Known scientifically as Indo-Pacific humpbacks (or Sousa chinensis), the Chinese White Dolphins are actually born gray or black. They turn white or pink as they mature. So they are also known as "pink dolphins". Their population in Hong Kong is estimated to be less than 200. They are founded in the waters north of Lantau Island.
Unfortunately, the new Chek Lap Kok International Airport is also situated in the proximity. The construction of the airport and its related infrastructure projects in the last five years have increased
pollution in the area, pushing the pink dolphins closer to extinction.
In addition, the sea traffic in the area also happens to be one of busiest in Hong Kong. The dolphins' echolocation system can usually guide them through the traffic, but accidents do happen. Dolphins are sometimes killed by the motors from the boats in the vicinity.
If you want to see the pink dolphins, you can join a tour
organized by the Hong Kong Dolphinwatch(tel: 2984-1414 or e-mail). They are
a non-profit organization that helps to promote the preservation of the pink dolphins in Hong Kong. They run half day tours every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday for HK$280 per adult.
The summer months are the best time of the year to see the dolphins.
They tend to stay close to the surface. I was there in June. Dolphins were everywhere. It was almost impossible not to spot one.
September Calendar
Sept 4th: International Young Concert Artist Series - Clarinet Recital by Tu Song, City Hall (tel: 2734 2925).
Sept 5th: The horse racing season begins. Races are held twice a
week.
Sept 8-9th: Cantonese Opera, HK Cultural Center.
Sept 15th-18th: Asian Information Technology Expo at HK Convention Center (tel: 2811 8897).
Sept 17-18th: Concert by the HK Chinese Orchestra (tel: 2853 2622).
Sept 21st: Power Slam Basketball - featuring Tim Hardaway, Marcus
Camby, and Latrell Sprewell (tel: 2723 8721).
Sept 23: The 10th Asian Senior Women's Volleyball Championship
(Preliminary competition), Queen Elizabeth Stadium (tel: 2771 0293).
Sept 24th: The Mid Autumn Moon Festival (see below).
Sept 25th: Monkey God Festival. The only observance in Hong Kong is a ritual at the Monkey God's temple in Sau Mau Ping, Kowloon.
Sept 30th: HK String Quartet with Ieuan Jones, City Hall(tel 2734
2929).
The Mid Autumn Moon Festival
The Mid Autumn Moon Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. It is one of the most romantic Chinese festivals in Hong
Kong.
The Chinese believed that the moon is the most beautiful on the night of the festival. Traditionally, people would light up lanterns while observing the moon on its finest day of the year.
Moon cakes are the main festival food. They are usually made of lotus
seed paste with a salted egg yolk inside to represent the moon. Today, the varieties of moon cakes are numerous, ranging from ice-cream to red bean paste.
For lovers, the day is a romantic occasion to get together under a full moon surrounded by brightly-lit lanterns and candles. The village of Tai Hang will be organizing a 3-day "Fire Dragon Parade" between
September 23rd and the 25th.
You can also observe the festival by attending the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival in Victoria Park on the night of festival.
Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our Asia Insiders page.
