We’re excited to invite you to attend the coming events on ‘Conservation Translocation in Practice: Global Standards & Local Action’ on 4 and 7 February 2026, with supports from The Hong Kong Countryside Foundation.

Highlights of the event:

In 1950s, Hong Kong had active rice cultivation. With rapid urban development, large-scale abandonment of paddy farming began in 1960s.

Beyond reducing local food production, this habitat loss has threatened the small Ricefish (max. length of 4cm), which is locally assessed as vulnerable and listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. The population has further declined following the introduction of the invasive mosquitofish.

Through collaboration among academia, NGOs, villagers in Lai Chi Wo (LCW), government and business sectors, Ricefish were successfully reintroduced to LCW using a framework aligned with IUCN guidelines. This project is featured in The IUCN Global Conservation Translocation Perspectives: 2025 Case Studies from Around the Globe (8th Edition).

Part 1: Sharing on Conservation Translocation: Case Study from the Reintroduction of Rice fish at LCW

Event Details:
Date: 4 February 2026 (Wednesday)
Time: 19:00 – 20:30
Speaker: Dr Ken So, Education and Research Manager, Outdoor Wildlife Learning Hong Kong
Location: Rm503, I+Plus Development and Exchange Centre, Hong Kong Playground Association, MacPherson Place, 38 Nelson Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon
Language: English (Supplemented by Cantonese)
Fee: $50 (member) | $100 (non-member)
Quota: Max. 40 participants

Part 2: Field trip to LCW: Explore the rehabilitated farmland and habitat management work for Ricefish

Event Details:
Date: 7 February 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 10:45 – 15:30

Agenda:
10:45 Gather at the pavilion at LCW Square (in front of the temples)
11:00 – 13:00 Explore the habitat of Ricefish (hands-on experience)
13:00 – 14:00 Hakka Lunch (included)
14:00 – 15:00 A tour on LCW to discuss the trend of village revitalization and its future
15:30 Scheduled ferry return to Ma Liu Shui or Sha Tau Kok (advance permit application required)

Speakers:
Dr Ken So, Education and Research Manager, Outdoor Wildlife Learning Hong Kong;
Mr Tommy Hui, Hong Kong Biodiversity Conservation Manager, WWF-Hong Kong

Location: Lai Chi Wo
Language: English (Supplemented by Cantonese)
Fee: $400 (member) | $600 (non-member)

Registration: https://app.glueup.com/event/sharing-and-field-trip-on-conservation-translocation-case-study-from-the-reintroduction-of-rice-fish-at-lai-chi-wo-167481/

Notes:

Please note that EMAHK provide basic insurance coverage for this field visit. Please follow all safety guidelines and instructions during your visit. Participants are advised to purchase insurance if necessary.

Transportation is not included and please arrange your own transport. Public transportation is available between Lai Chi Wo and Ma Liu Shui or Sha Tau Kok (Transport Department – Kaito Ferry Service Details​)

Please note that a tourism visit permit is required if you take transport at Sha Tau Kok (Tourism Visit to Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area | Hong Kong Police Force​)