NOVEMBER 30, 2015
by Shayne Jacopian
With Hong Kong building a major new bridge and looking to expand its international airport, conservationists warn that these projects could lead to the demise of pink dolphins in surrounding waters—a much-loved animal in the area and the official mascot of the Chinese territory for the handover ceremony in 1997, in which Britain returned the territory to China.
Conservationists say that the mammal’s numbers have declined sharply over the last few decades, according to Phys.org.
The remaining dolphins draw tourists to the waters north of Hong Kong’s Lantau island in droves, and those campaigning against additions to the Chek Lap Kok international airport argue that the project could be what finally drives away the remainder of the population.
"We think that if that project goes ahead, then it will probably drive the dolphins away from Hong Kong waters," said Samuel Hung, chairman of the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society. Hung has been going out to see at least two times a week for the last 20 years to monitor dolphin activity.
"In some ways it seems like we are pushing them closer and closer to the edge of the cliff and if we're making that final push, they will be gone forever. I think now is the time to get our act together."
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