National icons: Pandas are among the 400 species featured in the Biodiversity in China exhibition at the Science Museum.

An exhibition showcasing more than 400 animal species from the Yangtze River Basin and western China opened at the Science Museum today.

Running until August 31, many specimens in the Biodiversity in China exhibition are listed as national Grade I or Grade II protected species. They have been supplied by the Chongqing Museum of Natural History and displayed according to their classes with appropriate environmental settings to reflect the unique characteristics of their natural habitats.

This is the first time the specimens have been exhibited outside Mainland. They include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, pandas, leopards, tigers, a Chinese alligator, a golden eagle, a golden snub-nosed monkey, a deer, a Chinese pheasant, a white stork, a green turtle, and a Chinese giant salamander.

Officiating at today's opening ceremony, Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui said: "We hope the public will gain an appreciation not only of the stark beauty of the animals, but also of their critical status and the importance of environmental protection and wildlife conservation."

Tickets are $35. For more information click here or call 2732 3232.