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WWF TO CONTINUE BIG BIRD RACE AS SCHEDULED WITH SUPPORT
FROM BIRDWATCHERS
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WWF Hong Kong
has decided to continue the running of our annual Big Bird
Race on 28 February 2004 as scheduled after conducting a series
of discussions with the participating teams who consider bird
watching a safe activity and support the continuation of the
Race. |
"WWF Hong Kong welcomes the decision of
the participating teams to continue the Race. As a matter of
fact, since the first outbreak of avian flu in Hong Kong in 1997,
both the Hong Kong Government and scientists from the University
of Hong Kong have been testing the migratory water birds that
visit Deep Bay each winter for the H5N1 virus. So far, all the
results have been negative," said Dr. Lew Young, WWF Hong Kong
Mai Po Reserve Manager.
"WWF
Hong Kong respects the Government's decision to temporarily
close the Mai Po Nature Reserve to visitors to minimize
the human contact with birds though there is absolutely
no evidence that wild birds have any links with avian flu.
As the Government has promised to monitor the situation
closely and review the closure period as needed, we hope
that, barring unforeseen circumstances, the Mai Po Nature
Reserve can be reopened earlier and no later than 28 February
2004, " continued Dr. Lew Young. |
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Dr. Billy Hau, Assistant Professor,
Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, The University of
Hong Kong and team captain of Birdbrains Team said, "We
support the continuation of Big Bird Race because bird
watching is an activity where birds are observed with binoculars
from a distance and there's absolutely no close contact
between the birdwatchers and the wild birds."
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Recent outbreaks of avian flu in Pakistan
and Xinjiang and Gansu Provinces in China show that they have
occurred in locations far away from the routes of the migratory
birds that come to Hong Kong. This indicates that there are other
causes for the spread of avian flu which are not linked to the
migratory birds.
The 21st Big Bird Race will be held on
28 February 2004 with more than 10 teams competing for the top
title within 18 hours of bird watching. The teams will record
as many different bird species as possible in the Hong Kong SAR,
with funds raised from the Race being used to support WWF Hong
Kong's conservation and habitat management work at Mai Po Nature
Reserve. The participants include experienced and beginner bird
watchers. Public can either sponsor the team or make donation
to WWF Hong Kong to support the Race through our website at [www.wwf.org.hk].
- END -
For further information, please contact
Dr. Lew Young, Mai Po Reserve Manager, at 2471 9722 (office)
or 9627 6520 (mobile).
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