1 Introduction

Due to the considerable range of adaptive diversity that is demonstrated by amphibians and reptiles, no concise or specific compendium on approved methods is available in Hong Kong. This Fauna Translocation and Compensation Plan recommends appropriate and scientifically proven survey and trapping measures to remove existing fauna from the existing Ngong Ping Stream and riparian habitat.

The plan builds upon mitigation measures described in the Environmental Protection Measures to be Incorporated in the Design and further Environmental Implications Section of the Project Profile. The plans recognises that action should be taken to avoid, alleviate or minimize any adverse effects and that although short-term detrimental effects may result from translocation long-term positive effects for the affected population will result.

1.1 Objectives

The primary objectives of the Fauna Translocation and Compensation Plan ~~is to~~are:

· to translocate fauna species which have low mobility which may be directly disturbed by construction activities which impacts can be minimised by evacuation and translocation to appropriate nearby locations.

· to translocate species which will have loss of habitat used as breeding sites to appropriate nearby locations.

1.1Study Site and Restrictions

The stream course diversion location adjoins neighboring private and government properties. The translocation measures are restricted to the stream banks of the planting width of approximately 5 m each side of the stream banks.

1.1 Compliance with Laws and Regulations

The Environmental Team (ET) undertaking the translocation must obtain and comply with all permits required for the capture, handling and collection of those amphibians and reptiles of the correct species. In addition, the ET must be familiar with the current list of threatened and endangered species and must comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to these and all other categories of amphibians and reptiles.

1.2 Personnel

As described in Section 6.4 of the Project Profile: tThe ET Leader shall have a minimum of 7 years relevant professional experience in EM&A. Environmental Team leader shall ensure that sufficient and suitably qualified professional and technical staff shall be employed by the respective parties. The supervisory for the translocation programme will be by an Environmental Specialist who is preferably be a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Environmental Impact Assessment with a minimum of 5 years experience of work in Hong Kong and preferably has a suitable background in natural history and a professional qualification in terrestrial ecology or botany,

A team size of three to five is optimal with the Environmental ~~Team Leader~~Specialist having a good working knowledge of the search image for the species, its natural history, and a basic understanding of habitat requirements for amphibians (i.e. hiding places under debris, boulders etc.).

The ET Environmental Specialist must be experienced in field survey and capture of amphibians and reptiles. Experience should include demonstrated experience in handling, catching, transporting or keeping amphibians or reptile species.

2 Survey Preparation and Field Reporting Procedures

2.1 Compliance with Laws and Regulations

2.2 Study Site and Restrictions

2.3 Equipment

The following equipment is recommend for the translocation of fauna species:

· maps (stream diversion and existing stream);

· field identification guides (i.e. Karsen et al., 1998: Hong Kong Amphibians and Retiles);

· flagging tape;

· data forms;

· personal protective equipment (thick cotton shirts/ pants, leather boots, gloves etc.);

· dip nets (0.5 to 1-mm mesh, for Tailed Frogs);

· plexiglas frame (for viewing creek substrate in turbulent or deep water); and

· bottle, pitfall, and minnow traps.

2.4 Reporting

All amphibian, reptile and mammal species encountered shall be identified and recorded. Minimum information on a standard data form recorded should include:

· location (which marked on a map),

· activity of the studies before capture (i.e. feeding), and

· position/ habitat (such as depth (mm) and microhabitat i.e. pool, under rock etc.).

The translocation sites will be recorded in detail including the number and species released at each location. Records of species recorded will be provided to AFCD following the completion of the translocation of the stream fauna.

3 Fauna Translocation Procedures

3.1 Capture Areas

The translocation measures are restricted to the stream banks of the planting width of approximately 5m each side of the stream bank. The areas shall be marked out with flagging tape prior to the translocation. All survey-capture and trapping must be conducted within these boundaries.

The ground capture areas should be ‘closed out’ by fencing the area with a wildlife fence which will prevent the entry of amphibian species while fauna of other sections of the stream are translocated.

3.2 Translocation Sites

Amphibians and reptiles are to be released within their existing tributary area, down-stream of the stream diversion. Ground conditions vary over relatively small temporal and spatial scales i.e. locations that seem appropriate now could become unsuitable. The exact release sites would need to be determined by the ecologist on-site at the time of the transplantation. The following points should be generally adhered to in deciding the relocation areas:

· where possible suitable areas downstream should be initially located by choosing areas with a similar stream gradient and available habitat; and

· amphibians should be released into the cover of a similar habitat to the one from which they have been captured (~~i.e~~i.e. pool to pool, streambed to streambed, etc) at a minimum distance of 50m from the works boundary.

3.3 Survey and Trapping

3.3.1 Direct Search and Hand Collection (for Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles)

Night-time and day-time direct search and hand collection of Ngong Ping Stream and nearby habitat within the Capture Area will be undertaken starting in September and ending in November. Night time survey will be undertaken using appropriate torchlight (a high powered spotlight is not recommended to prevent eye damage to nocturnal species).

The direct search and hand collection will involve inspecting the stream and stream bank (up to 5m from the stream bank) visually, to see if any amphibians are present. Un-embedded cover such as loose rocks/boulders, woody debris, gravels and leaves should be overturned or raked. All individuals seen during day and night time surveys must be caught and relocated (as described in Section 3.4).

3.3.2 Netting (for Amphibians)

Larvae and tadpoles are caught by means of dip nets held immediately downstream of searchers. Netting is recommended during direct searching and hand collection, with any individuals (adults and larvae) observed during the day (during capture surveys or when bottle traps are deployed/retrieved) being captured where possible.

3.3.3 Bottle Trap (for Amphibians)

Amphibians and their larvae will be captured using bottle traps. Where water depth is sufficient for deployment of the bottle traps, larvae within all parts of the affected stream habitat will be collected using this technique. Within the capture area for the steams, one bottle trap shall be set within each pool area (or small stream section of sufficient depth) where deployment is possible.

3.3.4 Minnow Traps (for Amphibians)

Minnow traps, will target amphibians within all parts of the stream habitat. will be collected using this technique. Whether a bottle trap or minnow trap is deployed in an area of stream will depend on local conditions such as water depth, size of pool etc and this decision must be made by the ecologist.

3.3.5 Pitfall Traps (for Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles)

Pitfall trapping is recommended for trapping amphibian and reptile species. The method is labour intensive (for the installation of pitfall traps which consist of a series of pits/40L buckets with a mesh fence through the center of the buckets).

3.3.6 Supervision during Site Clearance and Construction within the Stream at Ngong Ping

Supervision of site clearance and construction with the Ngong Ping Stream will be undertaken. Any species present at this stage be translocated.

3.3.7 Down-Draining (for Fish and Amphibians)

During low flow conditions it may be practical to sandbag the point where water flows into the pool so that the pool can be effectively down-drained by directing water downstream. Pools within the Capture Area that contain the fish, will be drained down during the day by pumping or syphoning by hand, depending on site conditions determined on the day of collection by the on-site ecologist. The draining down of water out of a pond must only be done through a screen (1mm gap geotextile or similar) in order to prevent death or injury to fish and other pond life. Adults must be caught as they approach the outlet screen or they can be netted form the pool once the water level is sufficiently low to prevent easy refuge. Other fauna collected using this technique should also be released downstream.

Down draining should be suspended if more than two fish are found dead and advice sought from the clients representative. If this technique does not work, then the pool must be refilled so that the fish are not injured or killed. Electro-fishing must be used if this technique fails.

3.3.8 Electroshocking (for Fish and Amphibians)

Electroshocking is not recommended, as it is potentially dangerous to the stream inhabitants the presence has not been confirmed during stream surveys. The use may also be ineffective when used on amphibians because they lack swim bladders and will tend to remain submerged and concealed even when electrocuted. Incidental observations from fish electroshocking surveys, however, are a valuable source of information.

3.4 Fauna Restraint

3.4.1 General Principles

The nature of restraint will depend upon the procedure and the species involved. Restraint techniques can range from confinement in an enclosure, through various types of physical restriction, to chemical immobilization. The use of physical or chemical restraint should be based upon an understanding of the behavioural and physical characteristics of the species to be restrained, the field conditions under which the procedure will occur, the knowledge and skill of those persons handling the animals, the goals of the investigation, and the availability of appropriate equipment and facilities. The translocation will aim to use the least restraint that is necessary to do the job in a humane and effective manner, with the least stress to the animal.

3.4.2 Fauna Restraint Procedures

Physical Restraint

Most amphibians and reptiles are relatively small moving, and can be restrained by hand or in a net. However, many small species are easily injured if the handler uses excessive force. Tail autonomy (tail shedding) can occur in most lizards if they are restrained by the tail. Although not a serious injury, future growth and reproduction may be influenced by depriving the animal of fat stores as well as the integrity of the specimen. Tail loss may also affect the behaviour of the animal. Because some reptiles may struggle excessively when manually restrained, the use of nets, hooks, tongs or handling bags may be required to reduce injury.

Venomous snakes are potentially dangerous and require special methods of restraint. Adherence to the following general guidelines is recommended when working with hazardous reptiles:

Procedures chosen should minimize the amount of handling time required, and reduce or eliminate the contact between handler and animal.

Those handling dangerous species should not work alone. A second person knowledgeable in capture/handling techniques and emergency measures, should be present whenever possible.

Only experienced personnel should handle venomous snakes . They should be familiar with standard emergency procedures that are to be initiated in the event of an accidental bite or contact. A treatment protocol and a supply of the appropriate antivenin should be available at all times. In addition, a physician or medical facility should be made aware of the nature of the studies being undertaken so that proper arrangements can be made for emergency care and examination.

Chemical Restraint

Prolonged distressful restraint should not be occur. In some cases, it may be advisable to utilize general anaesthesia for restraint in the field. If so, the anaesthetic chosen should be one that permits a rapid return to a normal physiological and behavioural state and the animal should be monitored until complete recovery occurs. The unpredictable nature and prolonged recovery times that are associated with the use of some anaesthetic agents in reptiles and amphibians may negate their use under field conditions. Because of this uncertainty, some minor procedures may be less traumatic and deleterious when performed quickly without anaesthetics by experienced personnel. The pain perception of these species is poorly understood. What causes pain and distress to a mammal may not have comparable effects on a reptile or amphibian; however, procedures should be performed under human and ethical conditions. Consultation with an experienced herptile scientist or veterinarian is required to choose the appropriate agents and to establish experimental protocols. Many chemicals used for restraint or immobilization of amphibians or reptiles also have the potential for deleterious effects on humans.

The use of chemical constraint will be discussed and approved with AFCD prior to use. The affects of immobilization chemicals and procedures on captive individuals before incorporating them into field studies.

3.5 Trapping Frequency and Duration

Translocation of fauna should be undertaken prior to commencement/ diversion of the stream for each stage of connection.

3.5.1 Direct Search and Hand Collection

Night-time direct search and hand collection shall commence at the beginning of September which is the known potential start to the breeding season for some amphibians. Day-time surveys will not be so intensive as the animals are nocturnal and are more difficult to find during the day.

The direct search and hand collection will be conducted nightly within the stream for one week. Daytime capture surveys will be conducted every second day by searching all appropriate microhabitats within the stream and adjacent habitat. If no individuals (adults or larvae) are found during this week by any of the techniques used, then the area will be fenced to prevent re-entry of other fauna species.

3.5.2 Netting

Daytime netting will be conducted with the not be so intensive as the animals are nocturnal and are more difficult to find during the day-time direct search and hand collection.

3.5.3 Trapping (Bottle, Minnow and Pitfall Traps)

Traps will be set at the beginning of September and a protocol to control frequency and duration of trapping will be adopted. This will follow the same logic to that described for the direct search and hand collection.

3.6 Translocation Procedure

Handling and trap operation requirements have been investigated in many countries including Australia, United States and the UK. The principles from guidelines these requirements have been adapted here to relate to local conditions and to the objectives of the current programme.

3.6.1 Translocation

For translocations, any species captured must be moved to the receptor area ideally on the same day or night of capture (i.e. within 12 hours ) and released as soon as possible, using suitable, lidded containers with air-holes. These should be labelled with date, species type, source and destination, marked ‘This side up’ and (for terrestrial phase animals) have moist vegetation for padding and a small amount of water. During the day these containers must be placed in the shade to prevent heat stress. Amphibians must have suitable space (no ‘stacking’ should occur). Plastic gloves should be used when handling different species to prevent the spread of disease between amphibian/ reptile species.

3.6.2 Trap Operation

Submerged bottle traps containing an air bubble must not go unchecked for longer than 17 hours overnight, and should be checked between 0600 and 1100 hours. They must be held firmly in place to prevent tilting and loss of the air bubble. The top of the canes used to secure bottle traps in place should be marked with high-visibility, fluorescent paint to make it easier to find all traps in poor light or heavily vegetated areas. When not in use, traps must be removed, or closed securely, as appropriate. Broken traps must be removed for safe disposal.

Traps should be set at dusk, and checked and removed early the following morning. Bottle traps must not be set in full summer sunlight or at night during periods of very hot weather, as the temperature of water inside the trap may rise considerably and oxygen levels will be reduced. Larvae are especially prone to such risks, and if such conditions prevail the method should be discontinued until favourable temperatures return.

3.6.3 Fauna Injury and Death

Any deaths must be reported to the clients representative within 24 hours. If more than five death occurs in a bottle trap, then trapping using this technique must be suspended until advice to proceed from AFCD. Discussions with SPCA or a group such as Kadoodie Farm should also take place if appropriate.

Any unconscious species should be placed in damp conditions in a cool, airy container; recovery may take a number of hours. The animals should then be released into damp ground cover adjacent to a suitable receptor site.

4 Other Compensatory Measures

4.1 Bird Nest Box

Some birds such as Owls, Great Tits and Magpie Robins, have to build their nests in tree holes but may have difficulty in finding them for nesting in Hong Kong. 20 nest boxes of different sizes and shapes (hung on trees) for these birds will be provided in the North Lantau Country Park (with in consultation and approval from~~with~~ AFCD). The design and location will be agreed with AFCD for enhancement of existing woodland.

4.2 Compensatory Planting and Stream Habitat

The Compensatory Planning Plan (Appendix G) provides measures to compensate for the fauna that are impacted upon by providing suitable habitat and selection of flora species that will provide suitable habitat/ host plants/ feeding plants for fauna.

5 Environmental Monitoring and Audit

It is also recommended that the ~~ecologist~~ Environmental Specialist conducts regular field surveys and sampling of impacted flora and fauna species using the site and its surrounding during ~~project~~ construction ~~and operation~~.

In general, the performance of monitoring and audit from an ecological prospective will need to be integrated with the overall monitoring and audit plan for the project as a whole. The commencement and program of the engineering works, which is currently unknown, would once established enable the ecological monitoring program to be prepared based on seasonality factors.

~~To be updated.~~Success of the translocation should be assessed by a follow-up survey within a year of completion of the translocation. The abundance and health of the translocated species and general ecology should be recorded.

Rev	Date	Originator	Checker	Approver	Description
A	9/07/03	JM	AWZ	-	Draft