Romer's tree frog on Scenic Hill, Chek Lap Kok

Abstract

Scenic Hill, a small headland at the south of Chek Lap Kok, is one of the important habitats for the endemic and endangered Romer’s tree frog (Liuixalus romeri). The population of Romer’s tree frog on Chek Lap Kok was under severe threats due to the construction of the Hong Kong International Airport in the 1990s. A captive breeding and translocation programme had been carried out by the University of Hong Kong with the support of a number of organizations to rescue the Romer’s tree frogs on the island. The programme was a success, with breeding and establishment confirmed at almost all translocation sites. Since the construction of the airport, the Romer’s tree frogs were thought to have been extirpated due to the construction works. In 2004, rediscovery of this species was confirmed in a lower section of the Scenic hill where breeding was documented in small water bodies in the man-made containers and structures among some ruins. Those frogs found on Scenic Hill are believed to be the remnants of the original population on Chek Lap Kok. Since its rediscovery, there is no systematic survey has been done to assess its population status. The aims of this study are to assess the population status and investigate the habitat utilization of Romer’s tree frogs on Scenic Hill. Repeated surveys were undertaken on Scenic Hill between May 2014 and April 2015, the number of Romer’s tree frogs observed and their locations of distribution were recorded and analyzed. The result indicated that Scenic Hill is supporting a viable population of Romer’s tree frogs though there was a significant reduction in the number compared with the study by Lau (1998). The results of the study highlight the importance of Scenic Hill to the population of Romer’s tree frog on Chek Lap Kok and the need for a higher level of protection for Scenic Hill to protect it from all forms of development. Active habitat management which include reforestation on Scenic Hill and creating artificial pools to enlarge the suitable habitats and improve the habitat quality are also proposed to conserve this species.