AFCD responds to Ombudsman's direct investigation operation report
Regarding the direct investigation operation report on the Government's work in combating cruelty to animals released by the Office of The Ombudsman today (April 16), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) responds as follows:
The Government has always attached great importance to animal welfare and deters acts of cruelty to animals through stringent enforcement and preventive education initiatives. The AFCD appreciates the Office's attention to the work on combating animal cruelty and accepts its recommendations and will actively follow up on them.
The Ombudsman recommended that the Government consider amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169) (the Ordinance) in stages. The Government has been conducting research on the amendment of the Ordinance and will strive to provide a concrete update within this year.
To improve the handling of suspected animal cruelty cases, the AFCD updated its departmental guidelines in the fourth quarter of 2025, covering all procedures for handling reported cases involving suspected animal cruelty, and has conducted staff training. The AFCD will take reference from the report's recommendations to further include more specific criteria and indicators in the guidelines, so as to strengthen the monitoring of case follow-up and enhance file management. In addition, the AFCD will continue to enhance staff training and promote experience exchange to strengthen the experience and skills of staff, as well as their communication, investigation and enforcement capabilities.
Since 2011, the Hong Kong Police Force (the Police), the AFCD and the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have jointly implemented the Animal Watch Scheme. Through a multi-agency collaboration, the scheme proactively prevents and detects suspected cases of animal cruelty, and has achieved notable results. The AFCD has liaised with the Police and the SPCA on strengthening information exchange and the sharing of investigation outcomes, with a view to formulating appropriate measures to more effectively combat acts of cruelty to animals.
The AFCD has been committed to combating illegal hunting activities through regular patrols and strengthened patrols at illegal hunting black spots, the removal of illegal hunting appliances, and appropriate enforcement actions against offences such as unlawful possession. In response to the Office's recommendations, the AFCD will review its patrol strategies, strengthen intelligence gathering, and make good use of technology to enhance enforcement effectiveness. The AFCD will also review the relevant legislation and penalties in a timely manner. In terms of prevention at source, the AFCD will maintain close collaboration with departments such as Hong Kong Customs and the Police, to strengthen intelligence exchange and conduct joint operations. The AFCD has already provided relevant guidelines to Hong Kong Customs to assist in identifying hunting appliances in order to curb their illegal importation. In addition, the AFCD will continue to promote public education and publicity to raise public awareness of the dangers posed by illegal hunting appliances, encourage members of the public to report suspicious cases, and remind the public to use managed and maintained hiking trails in the countryside for their own safety.
The AFCD agrees with the Office's recommendation on strengthening public publicityand education. In addition to rigorous enforcement, enhancing public awareness of animal welfare is equally important in combating animal cruelty. The AFCD has set up a dedicated team to strengthen relevant public education work in collaboration with animal welfare organisations.
The AFCD will continue to uphold a professional spirit and work closely with various relevant government departments and organisations. Through rigorous enforcement and strengthened public education, the AFCD will strive to continuously enhance the effectiveness of its work in safeguarding animal welfare.
Source: AI-found images
Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities
To mark its 35th anniversary, the Hong Kong Science Museum (HKScM) will launch two new exhibitions, namely "Wildlife Photographer of the Year" and "Hong Kong Science Museum 35th Anniversary Exhibition", from tomorrow (April 17), as well as a series of activities such as the specially enhanced edition of "Energy Machine", a "Science Fun Day", and the screening of sci-fi films. Members of the public are invited to immerse themselves in the infinite world of science and experience the boundless fun of science exploration.
The "Wildlife Photographer of the Year" exhibition, located at the Special Exhibition Hall on the ground floor, showcases award-winning photographs from the 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition organised by the Natural History Museum, London. Through breathtaking visuals from across the globe and compelling stories behind each subject, the exhibition highlights the raw reality of the natural world from unique perspectives and reveals how human activities lead to issues such as habitat fragmentation and global warming. It invites visitors to appreciate the works while reflecting on the intricate relationship between humanity and nature, awakening public awareness of species conservation and environmental protection.
The HKScM will launch a series of free programmes including exhibition guided tours, a sharing session on daily work in caring for and conserving animals given by an animal care specialist from Ocean Park Hong Kong, a lecture given by a representative of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, climate change and biodiversity guided tours, ecological tours of Kowloon Park, and workshops. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit the website at hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/wpy2026.html.
With the theme "Enjoy Science·Infinite Fun", the "Hong Kong Science Museum 35th Anniversary Exhibition" traces the museum's development milestones since its establishment in 1991, showcasing classic exhibitions and activities over the years, displaying the museum's first robot and unveiling the secrets behind the museum's iconic "Energy Machine". The exhibition also features an AI interactive photo booth that creates fun souvenir photos for visitors.
In addition to the exhibitions, the "Energy Machine" will present a time-limited "Energy x Light" journey from April 17 to 29. The HKScM partnered with the School of Innovation of The University of Hong Kong to create luminous orbs in orange, blue, green, and purple. These orbs will roll and race along a1.6-kilometre-long track, spanning four floors of the exhibition halls of the museum and standing 22 metres in height. The four luminous orbs are inspired by the four fundamental particles in physics, namely quarks, leptons, gauge bosons and Higgs bosons, symbolising the interplay of matter and energy.
Other exciting activities include the "Science Fun Day" to be held on April 18, which will allow participants to try different science experiments and enjoy science through guided tours, game booths and science demonstrations. "Future Vision", jointly organised by the HKScM and the Film Programmes Office, will screen four inspiring sci-fi films, namely "WALL·E" (2008), "Tomorrowland" (2015), "Bicentennial Man" (1999), and "Gattaca" (1997), on April 18 and 26. Science educators will also lead engaging post-screening talks to explore the science behind the films with the audience.
For details of the 35th anniversary exhibition and activities, please visit the website at hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/ScM35A.html.
Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
