Though relatively small, the 5.4-hectare HK Zoological & Botanical Gardens houses the most comprehensive collection of plants and animals in Hong Kong - over 1,000 species.

Living entity: The HK Zoological & Botancial Gardens is an important tourist, conservation and recreational centre.

Chief Leisure Manager (Passive Amenities) Lawrence Cheung said the department will soon introduce the HK hawthorn and Chinese wild peony melastoma, as well as wild orchids the HK lady's slipper orchid and white calanthe.

The orchid, being the only paphiopedilum species native to Hong Kong, has very high exhibition value. The white calanthe has a two-month flowering period.

The park will grow flowering plants that blossom in different seasons, setting up a 'garden for all seasons'. There will also be more thematic displays, making the park more lustrous.

For example, an avenue of bauhinias, which have a long flowering period between November and May, will be planted for photo taking.

For local fauna, the otter, Romer's tree frog, HK salamander and Chinese three-striped box turtle will be introduced.

The frog is endemic and unique to Hong Kong, Mr Cheung said.

The population of the turtle in the region has severely shrunk due to over-hunting for medicinal purposes. Hong Kong's streams are now regarded as harbouring the last remaining population still in the wild.

Hong Kong escaped deforestation during World War II and wild populations of many indigenous mammals are still surviving and sighted on rare occasions.

The department will build a new exhibition and education centre which comprises audio visual displays and ancillary facilities, introducing the local ecology.

It will also promote eco-tourism by displaying some introductory information on conservation from other Government departments and organisations

Most proposals will be implemented in phases over two years, and the exhibition centre in three years, Mr Cheung said.

The study mainly determines the long-term development of the park with a view to enhancing its facilities to meet public aspirations.

It was conducted by HK University Professor Daniel Chan and Baptist University Professor M.H. Wong.

Results show that 68% and 60% of respondents interviewed on site and over the telephone preferred the park to continue showing animals and plants side by side.

The consultants have also assessed in detail the value and condition of existing exhibits.

The park houses over 800 species of plants, with the orchids and the pitcher plant in the greenhouse being the most popular among all age groups. However, the park has other treasures deserving more appreciation.

Some species are very rare in the wild and are classified as endangered plants, including the reevesia near the aviary and pitcher plant.

The towering white jade orchid tree, planted near the Fountain Terrace over 100 years ago, is the oldest flowering tree in the park.

The collections in the Bamboo and Camellia Gardens are also excellent, exhibiting a great variety of 21 and 34 species respectively, Professor Chan said.

The Chinese Garden has a number of fruit trees from the Mainland, such as star fruit, citrus and sapodilla. They provide a valuable educational opportunity, especially for those youngsters who have not seen fruit hanging on a tree.

There are 217 species of animals, including 183 species of birds, 19 mammals and 15 reptiles.

The majority of visitors like the jaguar, the Bornean orangutan, as well as the red-crested crane, a symbol of longevity. Visitors also liked the large birds, like flamingos and grey-crowned crane, and waterfowl.

Professor Chan said: "The park has an excellent collection of primates that covers all the major groups ranging from the prosemians, new-world monkeys, old-world monkeys, to the great ape."

The department will re-introduce the Yangtze alligator, Mr Cheung added. This valuable species from the Mainland will fill an important gap in the reptile collection.

35% of visitors from the Mainland

The Gardens, built in 1841, are the oldest garden in Hong Kong, and are featured in many tourist guides.

About 35% of the park's visitors are from the Mainland and 5% are from overseas. In general, about 70% came to spend their leisure time, while 25% came to gain knowledge and 25% for recreation.

"After the changes are made, the unique position of the park serving as an educational, conservation and tourist centre in Hong Kong will be further enhanced," Mr Cheung said.