(CN - HK) Large culls of Lantau buffaloes halted

[Guest guest]

South China Morning Post

http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZJH1TPV0F.html

Friday, April 27, 2007

by BARCLAY CRAWFORD

 

The government promised a ceasefire on large-scale buffalo culls on

Lantau, during a closed-door meeting with green groups and villagers

yesterday.

 

A plan to survey animal numbers on the island, to be carried out by

several non-governmental organisations, was also approved at the

meeting.

 

While the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will

still cull animals reported to be weak, sick and aggressive, it will

not take away large herds. " The consensus is, we will not capture

buffalo in the short term until the NGOs carry out a survey on the

numbers, " a spokesman said, adding that some villagers were not happy

with the decision.

 

Yesterday's meeting followed outrage from greens and some locals over

the capture of 17 animals at Shap Long this month. Only one survived

the journey from Lantau to be slaughtered in Sheung Shui.

 

Claims have also been made that officers from the department acted

cruelly in rounding up another 12 animals near Mui Wo in September.

 

Lantau Buffalo Association representative John Schofield said the

latest decision was a step in the right direction to resolve the

controversy over destruction of the animals.

 

" They said they had no intention of culling animals, besides those

who are sick or dangerous, and that is a step forward, " he said. " We

want to do the survey as quickly as possible and hope that once it is

finished some, if not all, of the buffalo will be allowed to

subsist. "

 

Mr Schofield said there was general agreement that villagers would

contact NGOs, such as the Lantau Buffalo Association, Green Lantau

Association and Living Islands Movement, about problem animals.

 

Villagers say the animals are dangerous and damage property. But

green groups counter that they play a vital role in the island's

ecosystem.

 

The greens claim villagers want to rid the area of buffalo so they

can increase development.