Animals and plants play their respective roles in nature while interacting with each other at the same time. Plants provide habitats, food and oxygen for animals, while some animals eat plants in order to survive and inadvertently help plants to reproduce through pollination and seed dispersal. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold an annual roving Zoological Education Exhibition to enable the public to further explore the inseparable and intricate relationship between these two major kingdoms in nature.

     With "Animals & Plants: Best Partners in Nature" as the theme this year, the Zoological Education Exhibition will be held at six selected LCSD parks from December 2, 2017 to January 16, 2018. Visitors will be able to learn at the exhibition how animals and plants can be mutually beneficial to each other while maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Information panels with colourful photos of different kinds of animals and plants will be set up.

     A spokesman for the LCSD said that the department hopes that the exhibition can help enhance public interest in ecology as well as raising awareness of nature conservation.

     The roving exhibition will be held at six parks, namely Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG), Tai Po Waterfront Park, Tuen Mun Park, Yuen Long Park, Hong Kong Park and Kowloon Park. It will start at the HKZBG, where the exhibition will be held from December 2 to 10. To launch the event, "Meet-the-Zookeepers" sessions and Orienteering Fun Day activities will take place during the exhibition's first two days (December 2 and 3) at the HKZBG. Some butterfly specimens and insectivorous plants will also be showcased on these two days.
 
     This is the third round of "Meet-the-Zookeepers" sessions organised by the HKZBG this year. Zookeepers will share with participants their experience of daily primate and bird care and animal conservation. Visitors will have an opportunity to learn more about the HKZBG's animals, including Bornean orang-utans, buff-cheeked gibbons, emperor tamarins, golden-headed lion tamarins, black and white ruffed lemurs, American flamingos and red-crowned cranes. Moreover, Orienteering Fun Day activities will be held for the first time, enabling members of the public to appreciate and familiarise themselves with different species of animals and plants through tours of various facilities in the HKZBG.

     In addition, four educational talks will be held on December 2 and 3 featuring topics including "The Secret Relationship between Butterflies and Flowers", "In the Wetlands We Meet", "Butterflies and Plants" and "Nature Play in the Forest", to tie in with the theme of the roving exhibition. Guided tours will also be provided, during which the participants can tour the HKZBG and see for themselves about 70 mammals, 200 birds and 30 reptiles being kept there.

     Park visitors will find plenty to enjoy while taking part in these interactive and fun activities, the spokesman said.

     All activities will be free of charge. Interested parties should assemble at the information counter of the HKZBG's Education and Exhibition Centre at specified hours. In addition, park visitors will also be able to take part in stall games and a reading corner. Souvenirs will be available for distribution.

     Please refer to the annex for information on the exhibition periods of the six parks and details of the "Meet-the-Zookeepers" sessions, Orienteering Fun Day activities, talks and guided tours at the HKZBG. Public enquiries can be made to the LCSD's Zoo and Horticulture Education Unit at 2723 6053 or 2530 0154 during office hours.

Ends/Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:00

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