AFCD Launches One-Month Crackdown on Illegal Wildlife Feeding Across Hong Kong Country Parks
Bastillepost · 5 SOURCESabout 16 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) launched a one-month special enforcement operation on Thursday, October 1, 2026, to combat illegal wildlife feeding at multiple hotspots across Hong Kong's country parks. The operation focuses on illegal feeding of monkeys and wild boars at locations including Kam Shan Country Park (金山郊野公園) and Lion Rock Country Park (獅子山郊野公園), where authorities have recorded the highest number of violations .
Key Points
- One-month enforcement operation starts Thursday, October 1, 2026, at illegal feeding hotspots including Kam Shan and Lion Rock Country Parks
- AI-equipped CCTV system installed at Kam Shan parking lot since early 2024 has contributed to 13 successful prosecutions, with 2 cases still under investigation
- Fixed penalty of HK$5,000 introduced under amended Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170) since August 2024, with maximum penalty raised to HK$100,000 fine and one year imprisonment
- AFCD issued 86 fixed penalty notices for monkey feeding and 59 for wild boar feeding by August 2026, totaling 145 penalty notices in 25 months
- 12 summons prosecutions successful, with highest court fine of HK$10,500
- "Don't Feed" (全城唔餵) advertisements displayed at MTR stations, cross-border buses, and border control points during Golden Week, with pamphlets distributed to visitors
Why It Matters
This operation addresses growing concerns about human-wildlife conflict in Hong Kong's country parks, where feeding has caused wildlife to become dependent on humans and increasingly aggressive toward hikers and residents . The combination of AI surveillance technology and substantially increased penalties since 2024 represents a tougher enforcement stance that aims to change visitor behavior and protect both wildlife welfare and public safety in popular recreational areas .
This operation addresses growing concerns about human-wildlife conflict in Hong Kong's country parks, where feeding has caused wildlife to become dependent on humans and increasingly aggressive toward hikers and residents . The combination of AI surveillance technology and substantially increased penalties since 2024 represents a tougher enforcement stance that aims to change visitor behavior and protect both wildlife welfare and public safety in popular recreational areas .