Handover Mascot and Flagship Species: The Instrumentalization of Chinese White Dolphin in Hong Kong

Pit Hok Yau; Tim

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香港研究 ›› 2024, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (2) : 2.

Handover Mascot and Flagship Species: The Instrumentalization of Chinese White Dolphin in Hong Kong

Pit Hok Yau, Tim

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Handover Mascot and Flagship Species: The Instrumentalization of Chinese White Dolphin in Hong Kong

Pit Hok Yau, Tim

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Abstract

The Chinese white dolphin is not only the most loved animal in Hong Kong but also the flagship species of the city, mobilized by conservationists to publicize environmental issues and drum up support for the conservation of the species’ habitat. In addition, the cetacean has also been instrumentalized to convey political messages. This article aims to make sense of the social prominence of the Chinese white dolphin in Hong Kong by revisiting the cetacean’s trajectory with the city while examining the efficacy and the potential negative impacts of the symbol in relation to conservation. Historically, public awareness of the species first surged due to the construction plan for Hong Kong International Airport, followed by the 1997 Handover, during which the dolphin was turned into a mascot to call for a more intimate relationship between China and Hong Kong, although some citizens professed their pessimism over the change of sovereignty by reading their misery into the mammal. The two events have offered fecund resources for conservationists to build up the flagship species. However, while citizens show general awareness and concern over the dolphins, the efficacy of the flagship species is low when leveraged against reclamation initiatives. The Chinese white dolphin can also be a double-sided sword for Hong Kong’s conservation, given their absence in specific sites was used to justify various ecologically disruptive development plans. An additional observation is that there has been a resurgence among Hong Kong people to draw parallels to the plights of the cetacean after the political turmoil unveiled in 2019.

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Pit Hok Yau, Tim. Handover Mascot and Flagship Species: The Instrumentalization of Chinese White Dolphin in Hong Kong[J]. 香港研究. 2024, 4(2): 2

Pit Hok Yau, Tim. Handover Mascot and Flagship Species: The Instrumentalization of Chinese White Dolphin in Hong Kong[J]. Hong Kong Studies. 2024, 4(2): 2

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