********************************************************
A taxidermy specimen of Siu Fa, the female jaguar that lived in Hong Kong for nearly 20 years and died last year, is on display at the Education and Exhibition Centre of the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) from today (March 5).
"Turning Siu Fa into a specimen for education and exhibition purposes allows her to carry on her contribution to the conservation of endangered animal species," a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department said.
Born in Berlin Zoo in Germany in 1987, Siu Fa was sent to the HKZBG two years later and had two offspring. She was well received by local and overseas visitors. She died of old age in June last year at the age of 21. The stuffed jaguar is now on display at the Education and Exhibition Centre of the HKZBG.
The Education and Exhibition Centre also displays a stuffed sea turtle, pangolin, crocodile and lepidoptera and skins of different animals including the python, cheetah and leopard. Information about tree propagation and butterflies commonly seen in Hong Kong is also in the exhibition.
The Education and Exhibition Centre opens from 9am to 4.30pm daily and admission is free. The department hopes the exhibitions will enhance visitors' awareness of protecting and conserving animals and plants.
Ends/Thursday, March 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:21
NNNN
