Filmmaker documents Hong Kong newt's life cycle after witnessing roadkill tragedy

A devastating scene on a Hong Kong road spurred filmmaker Fung Hon-shing to action. In spring 2023, he discovered more than a hundred native newts killed or injured by vehicles on Fei Ngo Shan Road in Sai Kung. This tragedy deeply affected Fung, a dedicated ecological producer, prompting him to raise funds for a documentary.

Fung, who holds a biology degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, plans to capture the complete life cycle of the Hong Kong newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis). He has a personal connection to the species, having encountered them since childhood during mountain hikes with his parents. Fung noted the newt's adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats like streams, ponds, and even drains.

His team successfully filmed the newt's entire life cycle, from courtship to migration, resulting in a 10-minute film titled "Life (cycle) of the Hong Kong Newt." This work has gained international recognition, earning the 2024 Nature Film of the Year award at the Singapore Nature Film Festival and being selected for multiple film festivals. The film also reached a wider audience through an exhibition at a Sham Shui Po art gallery.

The Hong Kong newt, the only tailed amphibian in the territory, is characterized by its black or brown back and bright orange, uniquely patterned belly that warns predators of its toxicity. Listed as "near threatened" by the IUCN and protected by Hong Kong law, these amphibians migrate to woodlands in April to escape the rainy season's strong currents.

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I have known the species since I was a child, when my parents brought me to hike in the mountains near my home. I discovered that newts can live in different habitats like streams, ponds or even drains. The adaptability of the newt impressed me.