Driver Mistakes Civet for Raccoon in Fatal Sai Kung Collision
On.cc · 3 SOURCESabout 18 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A private car driver struck and killed a civet near the Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre on the evening of September 18, 2026. The driver initially reported hitting what he believed was a raccoon, but police confirmed the dead animal was a civet with severe internal injuries. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department subsequently removed the carcass from the scene.
Key Points
- Incident occurred at 9:34 pm on September 18 on Kung Kin Road outside the Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre
- The driver stopped and examined the animal, believing it was a raccoon before calling police for assistance
- Police officers confirmed the dead animal was a civet with its belly torn open and intestines exposed
- Officers moved the carcass to the sidewalk, covered it with a black plastic bag, and contacted relevant departments
- Food and Environmental Hygiene Department staff retrieved the civet carcass from the scene
Why It Matters
Civets are a protected wildlife species in Hong Kong under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, with illegal capture or hunting carrying penalties of up to HK$100,000 and one year imprisonment upon conviction . This incident highlights how the facial markings and body shape of civets often lead to misidentification with raccoons, which are not native to Hong Kong and have no established wild populations in the city . The case underscores the importance of driver vigilance in rural areas where wildlife frequently crosses roads.
Civets are a protected wildlife species in Hong Kong under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, with illegal capture or hunting carrying penalties of up to HK$100,000 and one year imprisonment upon conviction . This incident highlights how the facial markings and body shape of civets often lead to misidentification with raccoons, which are not native to Hong Kong and have no established wild populations in the city . The case underscores the importance of driver vigilance in rural areas where wildlife frequently crosses roads.