The pangolin population is on the brink of extinction in Hoi Ha, Sai Kung, with numbers estimated to be around 60 animals in total.
Unfortunately their meat is regarded as a delicacy and according to one article in a local magazine is thought by some to have "magical properties".
It has to be asked if our government is doing enough to protect wild animals in Hong Kong. Are sufficient measures in place to prevent them from being exported to the food and beverage sector on the mainland?
I did an online search for what the central government is doing to stop its people eating endangered species and found one website globalpost with the headline [from 2012] "Chinese eat up Zimbabwe's endangered wildlife". Chinese workers there were eating various animals, including rare snakes and leopards.
I read that the Chinese government has placed 420 animal species on a national protection list, making it illegal to hunt, slaughter or sell them. However, it would appear that despite the central government's legislation, endangered species are still under threat of extinction.
It'll be interesting to see if laws that are introduced will have any real effect.