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Chinese white dolphin
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Hong Kong mammals

Chinese white dolphin
Ellen Whyte
Why you can trust SCMP

A

Hong Kong is home to many rare mammals, but the Chinese white dolphin is among the most famous.

First discovered near the Pearl River in 1637, and the official mascot of the sovereignty changing ceremonies in 1997, this friendly sea creature is threatened by water pollution and habitat destruction.

If you want to see these dolphins, visit Lantau North, Southeast Lantau, the Soko Islands and Peng Chau and find out about dolphin tours.

Unjumble these mammal names

1. lhteeanp

2. sinroeochr

3. Gogund

4. troet

5. cumaqae

6. vitce

B

Match these Hong Kong mammals with their pictures

1. Leopard cat

2. Pangolin

3. Barking deer

4. Chinese porcupine

A.

B.

C.

D.

C

Animal adjectives

Connect these sentences

1. If George has a bovine or cow-like expression he looks ...

2. An asinine or donkey-like joke is ...

3. Walking in a feline or cat-like way means moving ...

4. An elephantine or elephant-like person is ...

A. Very silly, foolish

B. Gracefully, sleekly, stealthily

C. Dumb, dim-witted, dull

D. Large, clumsy, awkward

D

Choose the correct word

Mammals are warm-blooded invertebrates/vertebrates, who give birth to live young and feed them with milk produced by mammary/endocrine glands. Mammals also have skin covered with hair/scales.

Did You Know?

Hong Kong's other famous marine mammal, the dugung, got its name from duyung (Malay) meaning 'lady of the sea' or 'mermaid'.

When the first settlers in Hong Kong arrived in the early Sung dynasty, the land was covered in thick forests. Pioneer farmers battled to keep elephants, rhinos, tigers, leopards and wolves from eating their crops and livestock.

Because of habitat destruction, pollution and other human activities, Hong Kong's largest mammals have disappeared. The last leopard was shot in 1957 a few kilometres inland from Sha Tau Kok.

Worse, the 50 species of mammals that are left are in danger of being wiped out because of illegal hunting and animal trafficking.

Visit the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's local protected wild animals page at http://tinyurl.com/2n2f99 for video clips and fact sheets. Then click on the Endangered tab to learn how you can help make sure they survive.

Answers: A. Elephant, rhinoceros, dugong, otter, macaque, civet; B. 1c, 2a, 3b, 4d; C. 1c, 2a, 3b, 4d; D. vertebrates, mammary, hair

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