(Hong Kong, 28 March 2024) Nestled within its compact expanse, Hong Kong unveils a distinctive landscape and climate that have nurtured a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna, including several endangered species. In order to raise public awareness about the importance of safeguarding local biodiversity, the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (OPCFHK) is delighted to present the “Discovering the Hidden Treasure of Carapace Wonders” Conservation Exhibition this Easter. This captivating exhibition, supported by the generous donation from our corporate partner Edrington Hong Kong and with venue sponsorship from Cityplaza, brings to life the essence of local habitats within the Centre Bridge of Cityplaza, offering visitors an immersive experience and a deeper understanding of two invaluable local species: Horseshoe crabs and freshwater turtles. These species not only hold significant ecological value but also fulfil unique roles in the nature. Unfortunately, they face the imminent threat of extinction due to human activities such as habitat pollution and poaching. Through a wide range of interactive experiences, the exhibition not only enables the public to appreciate the wonders of local wildlife but also advocates for the conservation of Hong Kong's precious biological resources.
Within the five exhibit zones, visitors can engage in diverse interactive activities to uncover the “treasures” of our remarkable carapace wonders. One highlight is observing live juvenile horseshoe crabs, offering valuable insights into its ancient existence dating back 475 million years. Additionally, an eco-art installation taking the form of Beale's eyed turtle, made from recycled plastic bottles, is featured to spark interest in upcycling and raise awareness about preserving the habitat of freshwater turtles. The exhibition creates a multi-sensory and interactive environment that immerses the public in the habitats of horseshoe crabs and freshwater turtles, enhancing visitors' understanding of local ecology with illusion art, sound installations, and multi-layered panels that create a captivating threedimensional setting. On designated holidays, families can participate in workshops focused on local species conservation, including a lively storytelling session that highlights the challenges faced by the Beale's eyed turtle, a native species with a population of less than 100 in Hong Kong. Additionally, an ink rubbing workshop featuring horseshoe crabs and freshwater turtlesfosters appreciation fortheir unique characteristics and a love for nature.
“Amidst our busy urban lives, we often overlook the precious natural resources and endangered species around us. Horseshoe crabs and freshwater turtles embody Hong Kong's unique biodiversity, yet they face increasing threats to their survival. Besides prioritising research and education, OPCFHK has taken a deliberate step towards integrating community engagement to safeguard our biodiversity. With the approaching Easter holiday, we are organising an educational community exhibition that aims to foster a deep sense of concern for our local biodiversity. Through interactive and thought-provoking experiences, we aspire to enhance the public's understanding of and commitment to the protection of our natural environment. We eagerly invite citizens to join us on this journey, exploring invaluable local species and uniting in our responsibility to conserve our natural heritage,” said Judy Chen, Foundation Chair of OPCFHK.
“As a company committed to sustainable development, we are honoured to be a steadfast corporate partner of OPCFHK, actively supporting this meaningful community exhibition. We look forward to the educational and interactive experiences that will ignite public awareness and concern for the conservation of our local biodiversity, eventually inspire greater participation in conservation actions and foster collaborative efforts to protect our precious ecological environment,” said Jaime Martin, Managing Director of Edrington Hong Kong and Macau.
OPCFHK is dedicated to conserving horseshoe crabs through scientific research, education, and community engagement. Our efforts include the Juvenile Horseshoe Crab Rearing Programme, the Juvenile Horseshoe Crab Population Survey, and public mudflat cleaning events. We are grateful for the support of Edrington Hong Kong, our corporate partner, whose sponsorship has contributed significantly to our research accomplishments.
In our efforts to protect horseshoe crabs, OPCFHK initiated the design and implementation of the first underwater automated acoustic telemetry system for a pilot tracking study of adult horseshoe crabs in Hong Kong since October 2023, allowing us to track and study the habitat and breeding needs of adult horseshoe crabs in Hong Kong. The project reached the tracking phase in February, representing a major milestone in local horseshoe crab conservation. Moreover, OPCFHK has been working with Ocean Park and the Hong Kong Society of Herpetology Foundation since 2018 to establish a husbandry care and breeding programme for the Beale’s-eyed turtles. With the support of Edrington Hong Kong, two additional Beale’s-eyed turtles were successfully bred in 2023. They also support OPCFHK in deploying infrared cameras in the wild to combat illegal poaching, taking a significant step towards reintroducing these turtles into their natural habitat.
The “Discovering the Hidden Treasure of Carapace Wonders” Conservation Exhibition isset to take place from 28 March to 3 April (Thursday to Wednesday) at the Centre Bridge of Cityplaza. We express our gratitude for the generous venue sponsorship by Cityplaza, which has enabled us to engage the public in learning about Hong Kong's horseshoe crabs and freshwater turtles through artistic and interactive means. Going forward, OPCFHK is dedicated to advocating for sustainable conservation practices that ensure the survival and reproduction of local wildlife species, including horseshoe crabs and freshwater turtles.
OPCFHK x Edrington “Discovering the Hidden Treasure of Carapace Wonders” Freshwater Turtle & Horseshoe Crab Conservation Exhibition
Exhibition Date: 28 March to 3 April 2024 (Thursday to Wednesday)
Time: 28 March (Thursday), 2 to 3 April 2024 (Monday and Tuesday): 12:00pm – 8:00pm
29 March to 1 April 2024 (Friday to Monday): 11:00am – 8:00pm
Location: 2/F Centre Bridge, Cityplaza
Fee: Free of charge
5 thematic zones of “Discovering the Hidden Treasure of Carapace Wonders” Conservation Exhibition Related photos can be downloaded from the following link: https://bit.ly/4axDVAm
1. Encountering with Juvenile Horseshoe Crabs
Come face to face with the “living fossils” from 475 million years ago at Cityplaza this Easter! Citizens will have the opportunity to observe juvenile horseshoe crabs and develop a deep understanding of the ecologicalsignificance of the local horseshoe crab population, including their body structure, life cycle, and natural habitats.
2. Embarking on an Adventure with the “Upcycled” Beale's Eyed Turtle
How can we breathe new life into single-use plastics? Centred around the Beale's eyed turtle, this exhibition will repurpose 300 collected plastic bottles from communities into meaningful eco-art installations, raising awareness about the detrimental impact of plastic waste on wildlife ecosystems
3. Immersing in the Habitat of Local Horseshoe Crabs and Freshwater Turtles with Multi-Sensory Interactive Photo Spots
Hong Kong is blessed with a rich variety of coastal and terrestrial ecosystems. The exhibition presents captivating multi-sensory art installations, incorporating 3D illusion art and the ambient sounds of native animal habitats. By engaging sight and hearing, visitors can truly experience the mudflats and river habitats, immersing themselves in the natural environment where horseshoe crabs and freshwater turtles thrive.
4. Unveiling Local Biodiversity with the Nature’s Slide
As water flows from the mountains to the ocean, it nurtures a rich and diverse array of life. The layered panels create a dynamic three-dimensional scene, evoking a sense of interconnectedness between mountains and rivers. People of all ages can embark on an adventure through Hong Kong's natural habitats, where they will encounter not only horseshoe crabs and freshwater turtles but also the mudskippers and fiddler crabs found on mudflats. Keep an eye out for the red muntjacs hiding amidst the grass and different types of birds. Join us in exploring the diverse “residents” of this nature slide!
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5. Participating in Ecology-themed Family Workshops
During the weekends and Easter holiday, the exhibition presents a series of interactive family activities centred around horseshoe crabs and freshwater turtles. These activities include an ink rubbing workshop and a Beale's eyed turtle storytelling session, providing a delightful and relaxed environment for families to explore the intriguing lives and understand the significance of these remarkable carapace wonders in maintaining ecological balance and fostering conservation efforts.
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Ink Rubbing Workshop
Date: 29 March to 30 March 2024 (Friday and Saturday) Time: 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm (4 sessions per day, 30 minutes each) Quota: Each session accommodates up to 16 participants, including the companion. Participation is on a first-come, firstserved basis. Target: Aged 6-12 and requires adult supervision Fee: Free of charge |
Beale's Eyed Turtle Storytelling Session
Date: 31 March to 1 April 2024 (Sunday and Monday) Time: 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:00pm (3 sessions per day, 30 minutes each) Quota: Each session accommodates up to 30 participants, including the companion. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Target: Aged 3-12 and requires adult supervision Fee: Free of charge |
