The larger mammal fauna of Hong Kong: Species survival in a highly degraded landscape

Abstract

We spent 3 yr (2000-2003) surveying the status of larger mammals (> 0.5 kg) in the highly fragmented and degraded landscape of Hong Kong using 373 camera-trap sites distributed in 43 terrestrial wildlife habitat patches. In total, 20 mammal species were recorded including 15 larger mammals. The Malayan porcupine (Hystrix brachyura) and red muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) were apparently the most abundant species, while the crab-eating mongoose (Herpestes urva), Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus), and yellow-bellied weasel (Mustela kathiah) were the least abundant. The red muntjac, small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), and Malayan porcupine had the widest distributions, while the Chinese pangolin, small Indian mongoose, and yellow-bellied weasel were most restricted. Many species were absent from Lantau I., despite its relatively large size (144 km2) and lower current human disturbance, suggesting past extirpations. The key management need for larger mammals in Hong Kong is the protection and enhancement of habitat links between adjacent protected areas, especially the cross-border corridor between the National Forest Park in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province and the Country Park system in Hong Kong.