Mai Po was not recognized as any form of protected area until 1976, when it was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. In 1983, WWF Hong Kong began to take active management of the Reserve for environmental education and conservation. In 1995, 1,500 ha of wetlands around Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay were formally designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

WHAT IS THERE?

In recent years, over 60,000 waterbirds have wintered in and around the Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site, including endangered species such as Saunders' Gull and a quarter of the world's population of the Black-faced Spoonbill. During the Spring and Autumn migrations, some 20,000 to 30,000 waders regularly use the Mai Po mudflats as a site to rest and refuel before they continue their long journey.

The highlight at those times, is the chance of seeing rare birds such as the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Spotted Greenshank, Asiatic Dowitcher and Grey-tailed Tattler.

In addition to the birds, the Reserve has many other features of importance. The heart of the reserve is made up of 24 traditionally operated shrimp ponds (locally called gei wai), which are now the only such ponds in Hong Kong, and possibly in southern China. This unique system of shrimp production is increasingly seen as an example of the sustainable use of a wetland because shrimp production relies on the natural productivity of Deep Bay. The ponds are stocked by flushing in the naturally occurring young shrimps from Deep Bay, which then feed on detritus and plankton inside the ponds.

The stand of inter-tidal mangroves fringing Mai Po and Deep Bay is the sixth largest in China, and the reedbed stands are one of the largest in Guangdong Province.

I want to go to the car park of the Mai Po Nature Reserve, Yuen Long near Pak Hok Chau.

You could also take a minibus (about HK$6.5/person) or bus 76K (about HK$3.30/person) from Yuen Long, alight at Mai Po Village (in Chinese: ¦Ì®H§ø). It is then a twenty-minute walk to the Reserve (sign post "Mai Po Nature Reserve"). It normally takes 20-30 minutes to travel by bus/minibus from Yuen Long to Mai Po Village.

Note that the transportation charges above are effective from 1 September 2000 and are for reference only, they may be subject to change at any time by the corresponding private transport companies.

For enquiries, please contact the WWF Hong Kong Mai Po Nature Reserve Co-ordinator: Peter Scott Field Studies Centre Mai Po Nature Reserve, Yuen Long, N.T., HONG KONG

Tel: (852) 2471 6306, (852) 2471 9722 or (852) 2471 8272

Fax: (852) 2482 0369

E-mail: maipo@wwf.org.hk

Please note that you can only enter Mai Po Nature Reserve if you are on a WWF Hong Kong Group Visit or have a valid permit.

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