The Seac Pai Van Park in Coloane is an important venue showcasing natural and ecological resources and providing popular ecological science education in Macau, the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said in a statement yesterday, pointing out that three ecological facilities will open to the public tomorrow.
The three facilities comprise the park’s new Pavilion of Amphibians and Reptiles, Aviary and enclosed Butterfly-Friendly Garden.
The Post joined a guided media tour organised by the bureau yesterday morning. At the same time, a group of students from Pui Ching Middle School were also touring the park.
Chan Hoi Fong, head of the IAM Division of Nature Conservation Studies, told reporters during the tour of the park that the renovation budget for the Pavilion of Amphibians and Reptiles was around 6.1 million patacas, while the Aviary cost around 5.0 million patacas and the Butterfly-Friendly Garden about 680,000 patacas, with the work primarily involving the upgrading and optimisation of existing structures.
Following the commencement of trial operations tomorrow, Chan said that the public can book visits to the pavilion through their “Macao One Account” or the website of the bureau, with each session capped at around 120 visitors
Chan also said that groups may also book guided tours and workshops, adding that the bureau hopes to establish Seac Pai Van as an ecological education base, focusing its efforts on the promotion of ecological conservation.
The statement said that the Pavilion of Amphibians and Reptiles covers an area of around 1,080 square metres and is home to over 40 animals representing 26 species, including a black-throated monitor lizard, a Burmese python and a giant African tortoise nicknamed Ah-Sou, adding that all the animals were either transferred by the Macau Customs Service, handed over by members of the public, or rescued from public areas such as local streets, including abandoned pets.
The pavilion features six themed exhibition rooms equipped with multimedia installations, conveying messages about rejecting illegal wildlife trade and discouraging the indiscriminate abandonment of pets, the statement said.
The aviary features a steel-structured dome design and houses a variety of bird species, including the scarlet ibis and macaws, some of which are endangered, according to the statement. A diverse range of plants and a pond have been incorporated into the garden to simulate a natural wild habitat, the statement said.
The statement also pointed out that the Butterfly-Friendly Garden is the first facility of its kind in Macau. Covering an area of about 640 square metres, it features 18 selected plant species to create an ecological space conducive to butterfly habitation, the statement said.
Cheang and Lei, students come from Pui Ching Middle School, told reporters after the visit that their favourite animals in the park were the birds, snakes, and frogs, many of which they had seen for the first time. Through the visit, the two girls said that they had gained an understanding of the importance of protecting the natural environment and being responsible pet owners to prevent abandonment, as well as deepened their understanding of the living habits of amphibians and reptiles.
Municipal Affairs Bureau Division of Nature Conservation Studies Chief Chan Hoi Fong speaks to reporters at Seac Pai Van Park in Coloane yesterday. – Photos: Armindo Neves
Pui Ching Middle School students observe the African tortoise, nicknamed “Ah-Sou” by the park’s staff, during their visit to the Pavilion of Amphibians and Reptiles in Seac Pai Van Park, Coloane Island, yesterday.
