Whale carcass found in Ham Tin Wan
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) received a referral from 1823 this morning (January 29) regarding the discovery of a suspected whale carcass in Ham Tin Wan, Sai Kung. The AFCD staff, together with personnel from Ocean Park Hong Kong and Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong, immediately attended the scene for investigation.
Click to Gallery
Whale carcass found in Ham Tin Wan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Whale carcass found in Ham Tin Wan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Whale carcass found in Ham Tin Wan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Whale carcass found in Ham Tin Wan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Preliminary assessment indicates that the carcass measured approximately 11 metres in length. Due to the severe decomposition, a necropsy cannot be further conducted to determine the cause of death. Staff are working to dispose of the carcass and clean up the area as quickly as possible, with completion expected tomorrow. Meanwhile, members of the public should avoid approaching the area to prevent hindering the disposal process and causing danger.
The deceased whale was not a local species. It is preliminarily believed to be a baleen whale. Based on the degree of decomposition of the carcass, it is estimated to have been dead for some time. It is believed that the carcass drifted into the waters of Ham Tin Wan from the open seas.
According to records, baleen whales are distributed almost globally across oceans, with different species inhabiting distinct waters. Baleen whales typically forage in the cold, high-latitude waters around the Arctic and Antarctic during the summer. In the winter, they migrate to warmer, low-latitude or tropical waters for breeding and nurturing their young.
The AFCD urges the public to report any whale sightings or stranded cetaceans immediately by calling 1823 or using the 1823 mobile application. Members of the public are reminded to maintain a safe distance from cetaceans, and prioritise personal safety to avoid dangerous situations.
Whale carcass found in Ham Tin Wan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Whale carcass found in Ham Tin Wan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Whale carcass found in Ham Tin Wan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Whale carcass found in Ham Tin Wan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected drugs worth about $4.2 million at airport
Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (January 28) and seized a total of about 21 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, about 2 grams of suspected methamphetamine and several tablets of suspected nimetazepam with an estimated market value of about $4.2 million in total.
A 42-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, via Singapore, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found 4kg of suspected cannabis buds disguised as food items in his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested while 2g of suspected methamphetamine and several tablets of suspected nimetazepam were found from him.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers further arrested a 33-year-old female and a 34-year-old male suspected to be connected with the case at the airport yesterday. About 17kg of suspected cannabis buds were further seized from the female's suitcase.
The first arrested person has been charged with two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs. The other two arrested persons have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 30).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Customs reminds people to pay attention to the fact that drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence. Criminal conviction will result in grave repercussions for their future and they should not take risks in the hope that they may not be caught. Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected drugs worth about $4.2 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
