Tree-pruning blunder that killed 21 baby egrets in Hong Kong could have been prevented by official licensing scheme
Trained arborist and Institute of Horticulture Science member says such a scheme would have meant someone with proper professional training would have visited site
Many of the birds, including hatchlings, were still being treated for broken bones, feather and tissue damage, as well as hunger and dehydration after being separated from their parents during the breeding season.
Last Thursday, the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden began releasing some of the rescued birds back into the wild.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which was responsible for the works and later apologised for the blunder, promised an investigation into the matter. However, questions were raised as to whether anyone would be held accountable.
Trained arborist and Institute of Horticulture Science member Lam Tak-chak said that if a licensing scheme had been in place “someone with the proper professional training would have visited the site, recognised that there were birds nesting there, gone back to the department, and told them it couldn’t be done until the breeding season was over”.