🌾6月17日農業論壇義工招募：https://goo.gl/forms/ZlBSGhewmbAYDaef1
=====
【大埔鷺鳥林】事件近因可能係康文署沒有足夠專業職系人員，例如園境師，在處理市民就樹木和動物或雀鳥的投訴，未能從專業角度處理，容易造成失誤，我會建議康文署增加相關專業人員職位，避免事件再次發生。
政府在環境保育如樹木管理方面，政出多門，更可能係今次事件的深層次問題所在。漁護署、環保署、康文署、民政署、各個工務部門等等，多個部門涉及其中，就難免有互不協調的情況，政府實需梳理及重整部門之間分工權責，譬如成立樹木處，並讓專業職系人員從專業角度，更全面處理。
修樹工程公然破壞大埔鷺鳥林
Blatant destruction of Tai Po Egretry during tree pruning works
就昨日(2017年6月6日)康樂及文化事務署於受保護的大埔墟鷺鳥林進行修樹工程所造成的破壞，嘉道理農場暨植物園（本園）的野生動物拯救中心一共接收到15隻雀鳥以進行拯救和復康，當中5隻到達時已身亡，1隻因傷重而人道毀滅，9隻仍生存的正接受深切的治療及照顧，品種包括池鷺、夜鷺、小白鷺和大白鷺。
對於署方容許於鷺鳥繁殖期間在已知的受保的護鷺鳥林（也由當局註冊）進行修樹工程，本園保育人員感到震驚和憤怒。所有鳥類均受香港法例第170章《野生動物保護條例》所保護，故意干擾或傷害野生鳥類、或破壞牠的巢和蛋均屬違法。我們促請署方進行調查和跟進，讓涉及觸犯法例和疏忽行為的人員負上責任，接受紀律處分和檢控。
類似的事件不能再次發生，因此本園促請署方檢討現有修剪樹木的程序，確保有完善機制避免康文署職員或外判進行犯法行為，康文署管理層需進行足夠的監管，以確保野生動物不會因修樹工程而受到傷害。
現有9隻幼鳥於本園野生動物拯救中心接受治療，這些小生命非常脆弱，照顧上也很困難，牠們受到的外來壓力（從高處墜下、脫水、中暑和臨時斷糧）意味著牠們可能仍有一段時間處於不穩定狀態，或者沒有能力生存下去。不過，本園野生動物拯救中心團隊會盡力拯救每一隻幼鳥，讓牠們於康復後回歸大自然。
圖：現於本園野生動物拯救中心接受深切照顧的幼鳥
As a result of the serious damage to the protected Tai Po Market Egretry during tree pruning works undertaken by LCSD staff yesterday (6 June 2017), the Wild Animal Rescue Centre of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) has received a total of 15 birds for rescue and rehabilitation. Among the birds, 5 were dead on arrival, 1 was euthanized due to its serious condition, and 9 remain alive and under intensive care. The rescued species include Chinese Pond Heron, Black-capped Night Heron, Little Egret and Great Egret.
Conservation staff at KFBG are shocked and outraged that the tree pruning work was planned and allowed to go ahead at a known (to the Authorities) protected breeding site for the birds in the breeding season. All birds are protected under Cap 170 of Wild Animals Protection Ordinance in Hong Kong and it is illegal to disturb or injure wild birds or destroy their nests and eggs. We hope that a full investigation will be undertaken and responsible persons held to account for what was clearly criminal and negligent behaviour. We expect to see those responsible disciplined and prosecuted under Cap 170.
It is very important that a similar event does not happen again so KFBG urges that the present procedures for such roadside pruning are reviewed to make sure that there is a mechanism that prevents LCSD staff and contractors from carrying out such criminal acts and that there is adequate supervision from LCSD management to make sure wildlife is not harmed by the tree pruning and activities.
Nine hatchling birds in are now being cared for at the KFBG Wildlife Rescue Centre. They are delicate and care can be tricky. The additional stresses they have suffered (fall from height, dehydration, heat stress and possible temporary food deprivation) may mean birds remain in a critical state for some time and not all may be strong enough to survive. However, the Rescue Team will do its best to rehabilitate the young birds and return as many as possible back to the wild.
Photo: Birds under intensive care in the Rescue Centre of KFBG
