After the pandemic lockdown years, the USSP programme finally returns! A total of 24 students from 6 local universities participated and visited 7 Asian countries and regions including Mainland China, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. Key conservation species include the giant pandas, Yangtze finless porpoises, Chinese horseshoe crabs, dugongs, orangutans, shrub frogs, spoon-billed sandpipers, and other animals.
At the same time, OPCFHK also organised various local field trip during the programme, such as horseshoe crab surveys, secondary woodland and nocturnal animal exploration, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of local wildlife ecology, biodiversity and conservation.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on July 13, 2024. Students shared their thoughts and experiences on wildlife conservation journeys and community education project with guests and parents. Among them, the following students received special awards:
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 Best Conservationist Award：
- CHOW Sze Nga, Cissy | Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- YUE Ka Yin, Stefanny | Hong Kong Baptist University
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 Best Conservation Education Project Award：
- FU Hoi Lam Ashley｜The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- LAI Odelia | The University of Hong Kong
- TIN Hong Yuen Harun｜Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- WONG Ying Nga, Zola｜Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- HO Mei Sze Aimee｜Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- KAN Ka Wan Karen｜Hong Kong Metropolitan University
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Projects for USSP 2023-24:
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HUI Chuk Fei Millian | The University of Hong Kong
LING Tong Tony | Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
NGO Winfield Wing Fei | Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Animal Species: Shrub frogs, Agamid lizards, and wild orchids
Location: Sri Lanka
Date: 21 January to 3 February, 2024
Principal Investigator: Dr. Nayana Wijayathilaka, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Research Focus: Genetic diversity, ecology, behaviour and conservation of Critically Endangered, endemic shrub frogs in the central hills of Sri Lanka
Students' Participation:
- Record and analyse amphibian species vocalisation
- Morphometric measurements and DNA extraction on Agamid lizards and wild orchids
- Learn the DNA extraction methods and sequencing techniques to analyse the genetic relationships between species
- Collect acoustic samples for systematics, rapid species identification, behavioural experimentation and conservation monitoring
Journey record: view here
Infographic: Species introduction / Student participation
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LEUNG Sen Yui, Meeco | The University of Hong Kong
LEUNG Yan Wai, Iris | The University of Hong Kong
Animal Species: Giant Panda
Location: Sichuan, China
Date: 13 May to 26 May, 2024
Principal Investigator: Professor LI Desheng, China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda
Research Focus: Habitat selection and foraging strategy of reintroduced Giant Panda
Students' Participation:
- On-site inspection of the Giant panda reintroduction base, to monitor and analyse the carrying capacity of the environment.
- Work experience as an animal keeper for Giant panda, preparing and making daily food such as bamboo leave selection
- Laboratory works, including measurement of the bite length of bamboo leaf fragments in the faeces and the concentration of multiple hormones in urine for captive Giant panda
Journey record: view here
Infographic: Species introduction / Student participation |
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CHOW Sze Nga, Cissy | Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
YUE Ka Yin, Stefanny | Hong Kong Baptist University
Animal Species: Yangtsz finless porpoise
Location: Hubei, China
Date: 11 June to 24 June, 2024
Principal Investigator: Dr. YUAN Junfa, Huazhong Agricultural University
Research Focus: Yangtze finless porpoise disease lineage and prevalence study in Tian’e-Zhou Baiji Dolphin National Nature Reserve, Hubei
Students' Participation:
- Diagnosis and research works
- Work experience as an animal keeper for Yangtze finless porpoise, such as feeding skills, artificial cage breeding technology and rescue knowledge etc.
- Communicate with relevant local volunteering groups
Journey record: view here
Infographic: Species introduction / Student participation
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FU Hoi Lam Ashley｜The Chinese University of Hong Kong
LAI Odelia | The University of Hong Kong
TIN Hong Yuen Harun｜Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
WONG Ying Nga, Zola｜Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Animal Species: Dugong
Location: The Philippines
Date: 6 June to 19 June, 2024
Principal Investigator: Ms Patricia DAVIS, Community Centred Conservation (3C)
Research Focus: Community-driven Monitoring and Conservation of Palawan’s Threatened Dugongs
Students' Participation:
- Communicated with different parties by joining the ocean summit organised by the Oceanus Conservation in the Philippines
- On-site survey and monitor for seagrasses and dugongs
- Act as the facilitators and organise community education activities for the teenagers and in the youth camp
Journey record: view here
Infographic: Species introduction / Student participation
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SZETO Kin Lam, Kenny｜Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
YUE Hang Chi, Rachel｜The University of Hong Kong
Animal Species: Spoon-billed sandpiper
Location: Vietnam
Date: 6 June to 19 June, 2024
Principal Investigator: Dr. Trang Nguyen, WildAct
Research Focus: Bringing back the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed sandpiper to Vietnam through community-based conservation
Students' Participation:
- Assist in community education and outreach works
- Video editing for migratory bird protection and education activity
- Design and produce promotional materials for migratory bird conservation
Journey record: view here
Infographic: Species introduction
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LEUNG Cheuk Yin Alex｜The Chinese University of Hong Kong
LEONG Chi Ho Justin｜The Chinese University of Hong Kong
LI Chiu Wing Winnie｜The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Animal Species: Tarictic/ Visayan Hornbill, Walden’s Hornbill, Negros Bleeding-Heart Dove, Visayan Spotted Deer and Visayan Warty Pig
Location: The Philippines
Date: 12 June to 22 June, 2024
Principal Investigator: Ms. Ysabella MONTANO, Talarak Foundation Inc.
Research Focus: West Visayas species reintroduction project
Students' Participation:
- Terrestrial mammal and bird population surveys, including setting up infrared cameras, transect surveys, fixed-point surveys and radio-telemetry
- Habitat assessment and monitoring
- Animal care and behaviour records
Journey record: view here
Infographic: Species introduction / Student participation
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HO Mei Sze Aimee｜Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
KAN Ka Wan Karen｜Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Animal Species: Chinese horseshoe crab
Location: Taiwan
Date: 1 June to 14 June, 2024
Principal Investigator: Dr YANG Mingjie, Blue Ocean Alliance
Research Focus: Taiwan juvenile horseshoe crab survey: survey of juvenile horseshoe crab populations and habitats in Kinmen, Penghu and Xiangshan wetland, Taiwan
Students' Participation:
- Mudflat survey: horseshoe crab population survey and measurement of environmental Data
- Design and implement environmental education activities
- Mudflat cleanup activity
Journey record: view here
Infographic: Species introduction
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KONG Hiu Nam Yumi｜The University of Hong Kong
WONG Yuen Ting Nicole｜Hong Kong Baptist University
HUNG Yat Hei Martin｜Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Animal Species: Bornean orangutan and Bornean white-bearded gibbon
Location: Indonesia
Date: 1 June to 14 June, 2024
Principal Investigator: Dr. Mark HARRISON, Borneo Nature Foundation
Research Focus: Developing local community nurseries to protect and restore threatened wildlife habitat in Indonesian Borneo
Students' Participation:
- Nest survey and primate observations for Bornean orangutan
- Classify Bornean white-bearded gibbon based on their song location by triangulation survey method
- Conduct environmental indicator ecological survey, e.g. dragonfly and damselfly
Journey record: view here
Infographic: Species introduction / Student participation
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AU-YEUNG Tin Ching｜Hong Kong Baptist University
CHEUNG Ka Ka Katherine｜Hong Kong Baptist University
LEUNG Chi Ho Ryan｜The University of Hong Kong
Animal Species: Marine animals, e.g. sea cucumber, sea horse and stingray
Location: Malaysia
Date: 10 June to 20 June, 2024
Principal Investigator: Professor Qasim Ayub, Monash University Malaysia
Research Focus: Conservation genomics for wildlife in Malaysia
Students' Participation:
- Work trainings including laboratory safety, use of equipment such as micropipettes and micro-centrifuges, as well as preparation for DNA extraction
- Genomic DNA extraction, PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis, and RNA extraction for sea cucumber, seahorse and stingray
- Use of professional computer software for DNA and RNA sequencing data analysis
Journey record: view here
Infographic: Student participation
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