Rescued wildlife wait in Hong Kong as coronavirus drives up airfares, disrupts plans to find new homes abroad
- One airline wanted HK$21,800 to move two turtles within region, Kadoorie rescue centre says
- Drop in number of animals rescued or seized, but illegal trade continues, expected to pick up
Veterinarian Alex Grioni whistles as he opens a heavy metal door at the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden’s Wild Animal Rescue Centre in Hong Kong’s New Territories.
Then he bends down quickly to stop a large radiated tortoise from escaping. The endangered reptile with a star-patterned shell is native to Madagascar, more than 8,000km from Hong Kong, and was rescued from animal traffickers intending to sell it to the illegal pet trade.
Along with nearly 400 other animals, it is waiting to be moved to a zoo or conservation centre abroad, except that transport costs have risen sharply during the coronavirus pandemic.
Paul Crow, senior conservation officer of Kadoorie’s Fauna Conservation Department, said: “Flights have been either impossible to get for certain routes over the past months or four to five times the normal cost.”
Some animal placements, including to Spain, Australia and Indonesia, were cancelled when the recipients found themselves struggling through the pandemic or had to close, he added.