Opinion | Did anyone spare a thought for the safety of animals during Typhoon Saola?

Our prosperity as a multi-species society hinges upon including animals in our plans; their well-being is an ecological necessity

Yet there is still scant consideration for the animals that we share urban spaces with, especially when natural catastrophes loom

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Birds take shelter in a telephone booth at the waterfront in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui district on August 25 last year as Typhoon Ma-on arrived. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 6:15am, 8 Sep 2023

Last week, Hong Kong suffered the effects of Super Typhoon Saola as it swept through the city. In a matter of hours, everything had ground to a halt: shops, restaurants and public transport alike. I, like most of the 7.5 million others, found myself stuck indoors, waiting for the storm to abate.

Amid the ceaseless rain and howling winds, you cannot help but ponder. As I gazed out of the window of my hotel at the Chek Lap Kok airport, I noticed an eerie absence – there were no birds perched on street lights, no dragonflies darting around trees.

My mind turned to the countless other species enduring the typhoon. In Hong Kong alone, there are about 24 species of frogs, 55 terrestrial mammalian species, 130 kinds of dragonflies and more than 570 species of birds. Some of these animals are endangered.

Amid the clamour of concern over human safety, why is it that we hear so little about animal safety? Are concerted efforts made to protect these animals during tropical typhoons and, more broadly, in the face of natural disasters?

The effects of typhoons on animals are profound and multifaceted, and can present severe challenges for various species. For instance, many birds – especially the smaller and migratory ones – struggle to find stable perches or shelter in relentless winds and heavy rains; this leaves them vulnerable to injury or death due to exhaustion. The disorienting effects of the storm can further disrupt their navigational abilities.

Aquatic life, including fish and marine mammals, can be disrupted by sudden changes in the water temperature and salinity caused by storm surges. In terrestrial ecosystems, torrential rainfall can trigger landslides and habitat destruction, threatening mammals and reptiles. Flooding can force small mammals such as rats and mice to seek refuge in urban areas, potentially increasing human-animal conflict.

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