Hong Kong nature reserve closes off section as birdwatchers flock to see rare baby owl
Hong Kong's Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) has closed off part of its nature reserve after news about a rare baby wild owl attracted a crowd of birdwatchers to the sanctuary.
'Yesterday the 24th May, we posted that after a period of four years, the rare Brown Wood Owl has bred again within KFBG's nature reserve,' it said on Facebook on Sunday.
'The owls attracted much interest among visitors and photographers, which could potentially disturb them. We decided to temporarily close the road that provided access to the birds, a measure we communicated via social media.'
In a now-deleted post on Saturday, the KFBG also shared a photo collage of three owls and a picture of a large group of birdwatchers pointing their long-lens cameras at a hillside.
'We also appreciate that some enthusiastic photographers must have been disappointed, but as a nature conservation institute, the well-being and protection of the animals and plants in our nature reserve has priority,' it said on Sunday.
'To ensure the continued protection of the owl family, the road closure will remain in effect until further notice, and we continue to appreciate your understanding and cooperation,' it said.
Native species
According to the KFBG, the brown wood owl appears to be rare in Hong Kong. Considered to be a native species, it is believed to have arrived only in the last 15 years from Guangdong province.
There were eight breeding records between 2009 and 2020 in the city, including one at the KFBG in May 2015, according to the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the brown wood owl – also found in Southeast and South Asia – as a least-concern species. However, it still faces threats from shrinking forest habitats.
Those who want to see a brown wood owl up close can visit a captive owl named Woody at the raptor sanctuary, the KFBG also said on Sunday. She was raised around people after being seized from an illegal animal trader when she was young several years ago and thus cannot be released into the wild.
'She may even communicate with the wild wood owl family on our hillside at night,' the conservancy said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
HKFP
26-05-2025
- HKFP
Hong Kong nature reserve closes off section as birdwatchers flock to see rare baby owl
Hong Kong's Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) has closed off part of its nature reserve after news about a rare baby wild owl attracted a crowd of birdwatchers to the sanctuary. 'Yesterday the 24th May, we posted that after a period of four years, the rare Brown Wood Owl has bred again within KFBG's nature reserve,' it said on Facebook on Sunday. 'The owls attracted much interest among visitors and photographers, which could potentially disturb them. We decided to temporarily close the road that provided access to the birds, a measure we communicated via social media.' In a now-deleted post on Saturday, the KFBG also shared a photo collage of three owls and a picture of a large group of birdwatchers pointing their long-lens cameras at a hillside. 'We also appreciate that some enthusiastic photographers must have been disappointed, but as a nature conservation institute, the well-being and protection of the animals and plants in our nature reserve has priority,' it said on Sunday. 'To ensure the continued protection of the owl family, the road closure will remain in effect until further notice, and we continue to appreciate your understanding and cooperation,' it said. Native species According to the KFBG, the brown wood owl appears to be rare in Hong Kong. Considered to be a native species, it is believed to have arrived only in the last 15 years from Guangdong province. There were eight breeding records between 2009 and 2020 in the city, including one at the KFBG in May 2015, according to the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the brown wood owl – also found in Southeast and South Asia – as a least-concern species. However, it still faces threats from shrinking forest habitats. Those who want to see a brown wood owl up close can visit a captive owl named Woody at the raptor sanctuary, the KFBG also said on Sunday. She was raised around people after being seized from an illegal animal trader when she was young several years ago and thus cannot be released into the wild. 'She may even communicate with the wild wood owl family on our hillside at night,' the conservancy said.
South China Morning Post
25-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Rare owl bred in Hong Kong draws bird watchers galore, venue restricts access
A rare wild owl that was bred in Hong Kong has attracted scores of photography fans and bird watchers to the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG), prompting the venue to close a part of the site to prevent visitors from getting near. Images circulating on social media showed crowds of enthusiasts jostling for position on a path in the farm's nature reserve, pointing their long lenses toward the trees where the rare brown wood owl was nesting. 'To protect the birds, unfortunately, we have decided to temporarily close the road and prevent this disturbance to the young brown wood owl and his parents,' KFBG wrote on its Facebook page on Saturday night. The heightened interest followed the rare breeding of the birds in the reserve after four years. With distinctively deep and dark brown eyes, the species is native to Hong Kong, according to the KFBG website. They are believed to have arrived in the city in the past two decades, probably as a result of a natural range expansion from Guangdong province. They can also be found in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The farm warned against using laser beams or owl hooters to attract the birds, and decided to close the relevant road in the park to prevent disturbance. 'While we understand that this may cause dissatisfaction to some photographers, we hope that everyone understands that the well-being of the birds comes first, and we appreciate your cooperation,' it added.
RTHK
25-05-2025
- RTHK
Kadoorie Farm restricts access after baby owl mania
Kadoorie Farm restricts access after baby owl mania A pair of rare Brown Wood Owl have bred again after four years at the farm's nature reserve. Photo courtesy of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden. A baby owl and his parents at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden have attracted so many excited birdwatchers that restrictions have had to be put in place, staff say. A pair of rare Brown Wood Owl have bred again after four years at the farm's nature reserve. The arrival of their baby has prompted hordes of bird lovers to turn up to take photographs. In order to protect the owls, public access to the hillside where they are nesting has been restricted, staff said at the weekend. 'Our role is to protect the bird and manage the visitors, and check for visitors that might be using laser pointers or playing owl sounds, all to take a great picture, but at the same time causing great disturbance to the birds,' the farm said on Facebook. The farm said it understands that some photographers may be unhappy with the measure, but urged people to put the well-being of the owls first.
