Dinosaur fossils attract 40,000 viewers in two months

Hong Kong’s first-ever discovery of dinosaur fossils sparked widespread excitement, drawing over 40,000 visitors to a dinosaur-themed exhibition in the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in just two months, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said.

This came as the city unearthed about 30 rocks containing dinosaur bone fossils in October last year on Port Island,  with the largest measuring about 70 centimeters in length.

In a blog post on Sunday, Linn said the discovery also marks the first joint project under the framework agreement between her bureau and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"China is home to the largest number of dinosaur species discovered globally, with over 300 species named and studied so far," Linn said.

“Research on the fossils excavated on the Port Island will help us explore Hong Kong’s ancient dinosaur species and paleoecological environment."

To celebrate the historic find, the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre has launched the "Dinosaur Parlour," an exhibition enabling the public to witness experts and staff cleaning and restoring dinosaur fossils up close, in December last year.

Linn said the Antiquities and Monuments Office had collaborated with local paleo-artists to create artworks reconstructing Chinese dinosaurs and footprints from the same era as the Port Island fossils to adorn the glass walls in the exhibition hall and the center’s courtyard.

The office also collaborated with local illustrators to design dinosaur-themed merchandise, including lucky red envelopes, badges, and keychains.

The exhibition offers guided tours by reservation for groups, and provides free public guided tours on weekends and public holidays.

The office, along with the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department,  had organized nine public lectures, school outreach programs, and workshops.

Linn added that the office will continue working with the IVPP, as well as local and international experts to study the habits and species of dinosaurs on Port Island, with findings to be published in academic journals.  

(Ayra Wang)