University Student Sponsorship Programme 2015-16

Stepping into the 12th year of the programme, OPCFHK is happy to extend the sponsorship to Hong Kong Baptist University.  A total of 36 students from six institutes were sponsored to participate in 12 projects covering 4 Asian countries including China, Indonesia, The Philippines and India.  This year, the students continued to join population monitoring projects on Yangtze finless porpoise and Chinese white dolphin in China, as well as dugongs in the Philippines.  New projects for this year include red-crowned roofed turtle in India, and Alpine musk deer in China.

Benjamin LAM Tsz Pan, Erica YIP Shuk Ting, Felix LEONG Chin Ho, Johnson SIO Chong Son, YUNG Yuen Ting and MAK Yip Yan
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

Animal Species: Horseshoe crab
Location: Hong Kong, Taiwan and Guangxi, China
Students' Work:

  • Produce a documentary on the current status and conservation efforts on horseshoe crab across the Taiwan Strait.

 

Ken FUNG Hon Shing
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Samantha WANG Junhan and Maria Dominika Ivana SURADJA
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Animal Species: Chinese crested tern
Location: Indonesia
Date: January 10 to 20, 2016
Principal Investigator: Mr. Simba Chan, Birdlife International
Research Focus: Study and conserve the migratory Chinese crested tern in China and Indonesia
Students' Work:

  • Join boat-based population survey in Indonesia, identify and record bird species as well as take photos.
  • Join threat assessment survey.
  • Support the team's public awareness programme including presentation at university and meeting with government officials and national park staff.

Cici LAM Sze Wai, Charlotte LAU Choi Tung and Emily LEUNG Ka Man
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Animal Species: Yangtze finless porpoise
Location: Poyang Lake, Jiangxi, China
Date: January 11 to 22, 2016
Principal Investigator: Dr. MEI Zhigang, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Research Focus:  Assessment of population status and conservation strategies
Students' Work:

  • Assist in the boat-based visual and acoustic survey of Yangtze finless porpoise as well as the vessel survey in the Poyang Lake to understand its population status during the low flow seasons.

Roxie LAM Lok Sze, NG Pui Lam and Ada YUEN Fuk Wai
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Animal Species: Chinese white dolphin
Location: Sanya, China
Date: January 18 to 30, 2016
Principal Investigator: Dr. LI Songhai, Sanya Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Research Focus:  Population study
Students' Work:

  • Assist in the population survey of Chinese white dolphin in Leizhou Bay.

 

Marcus SHUM Po-yan, Ben TSOI Ho Ming, Anson WONG Tsz Chun
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Animal Species: Sumatran orangutan
Location: Indonesia
Date: May 16 to 30, 2016
Principal Investigator: Mr. Panut HADISISWOYO, Yayasan Orangutan Sumatera Lestari - Orangutan Information Centre
Research focus:  Orangutan population and forest condition monitoring
Students' Work:

  • Stand-by and assist in the work of the orangutan rescue team.
  • Help restore the forests by planting trees, removing weeds around tree seedlings and collecting seeds in the primary forest.

Yolanda YEUNG Yip Hung and Danielle TSANG Po Ying
Hong Kong Baptist University

Animal Species: Manta ray
Location: Indonesia
Date: May 17 to 31, 2016
Principal Investigator: Dr. Andrea MARSHALL, Marine Megafauna Foundation
Research Focus:  Monitoring on how marine debris threatens manta rays
Students' Work:

  • Assist in field surveys to understand the situation of marine debris and microplastics in the feeding grounds of manta ray in Indonesia, and the effects on the animals.

 

Rosanna LAU Hoi Shan and Samuel LEE Man Tsun
City University of Hong Kong

Animal Species: Dugong
Location: The Philippines
Date: May 24 to June 5, 2016
Principal Investigator: Ms Patricia DAVIS, Community Centred Conservation (C3)
Research Focus:  Community-driven population monitoring and impact of coastal development
Students' Work:

  • Join the seagrass bed and dugong feeding trail monitoring.
  • Participate in the community sighting monitoring programme.
  • Assist C3 in outreach programmes.

 

Billy WONG Ho Fung
Hong Kong Baptist University

Howard CHAN Hoi Kin
City University of Hong Kong

Animal Species: Red-crowned roofed turtle
Location: Chambal River, India
Date: May 26 to June 10, 2016
Principal Investigator: Dr. Shailendra SINGH, Turtle Survival Alliance
Research Focus:  Nest protection, head-starting and release
Students' Work:

  • Assist in the field work of red-crowned roofed turtle on the distribution and survival of released juvenile.
  • Join the centre's artificial breeding and husbandry work on different species of freshwater turtles.

Katie CHEUNG Hiu Ting, Irena HUI Wing Hin and Keffie HO Sum Yi
Hong Kong Baptist University

Animal Species: Chinese white dolphin
Location: Xiamen, China
Date: June 13 to 26, 2016
Principal Investigator: Dr. Shiang-lin HUANG, Taiwan Cetacean Society
Research Focus:  Understand changes of distribution pattern and habitat loss/degradation for the humpback dolphins in Xiamen Bay and its adjacent area
Students' Work:

  • Assist in the field work of humpback dolphins. 

 

Dorothy LEUNG Tsz Ying and Richard WONG Kit On
City University of Hong Kong

Animal Species: Yangtze finless porpoise
Location: Hubei, China
Date: June 16 to 30, 2016
Principal Investigator: Mr. ZHU Binting, Jianli Fisheries Bureau
Research Focus:  Coordinate conservation management and community development in a newly established nature reserve to protect Yangtze finless porpoise
Students' Work:

  • Assist team in field survey and community outreach programmes.

Jeffery CHUNG Tzu Hao
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Maggie AU Wai Yin
City University of Hong Kong

Arthur CHUNG Yan Chi
The University of Hong Kong

Animal Species: Blue coral
Location: Hainan, China
Date: June 17 to 30, 2016
Principal Investigator: Mr. CHEN Hong, South China Sea Tropical marine Biology and Disease Institute, Hainan
Research Focus:  Breeding, monitoring and recovery of coral
Students' Work:

  • Assist team in field and laboratory work. 
 

Roy CHEUNG Shun Chi, Yvonne YAU Yu Yan, Cathy LEE Wanyi
The University of Hong Kong

CHUNG Tracy Tiffany
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Animal Species: Alpine musk deer
Location: Gansu, China
Date: June 17 to 30, 2016
Principal Investigator: Dr. MENG Xiuxiang, Renmin University of China
Research Focus:  Population and habitat monitoring, as well as community work
Students' Work:

  • Assist research team in field survey and community outreach programmes, including environmental education projects and surveys on local ecotourism.