MUIRHEAD`S MYSTERIES: WERE THERE WOLVES WITH STRIPES IN HONG KONG IN THE 1930s?

Yes, “were there wolves with stripes in Hong Kong in the 1930s?” I am not misusing some obscure Chinese medicine; nor is this an early birthday present to myself (yes, fans, I am 44 on November 5th) Strictly speaking the article does not say it was a wolf with stripes, but for some reason we have a tiger-like wolf.

Here is the story from The Hong Kong Telegraph January 30, 1937:

Wolf Slain On Border May Be
Kowloon Tiger

Caused Men Shoot
Large Animal

Bitterly cold weather in the mountains regions of Kwangtung and Fukien may give a clue to the identity of the famous “Kowloon Tiger”.

Reports from Canton state that all manner of wild animals are being forced into the lowlands, and many of them are believed to be migrating towards warmer Hong Kong.

Shum Chun village is excited by news that Customs officers at the C.M.C blockhouse on the outskirts of the town have killed a large beast which Chinese may have taken for a tiger.

The Telegraph established telephonic communication with the blockhouse this morning and verified the report that a large animal, weighing approximately 110lbs. had been captured and killed.

The animal is not a tiger, but apparently a wolf of good size.

It had been prowling around the blockhouse for two or three days and is believed to have migrated from Fukien.The animal is said to resemble a tiger when seen at a distance. Several wolves have been shot at different periods in Hongkong territory [there were reports of sightings of wolves in Hong Kong territory during the building of the Kowloon-Canton railway from 1905-1910-R]

TIGER STORY DENIED

We are informed by the Inspector General of Police this morning that investigations have been made in the New Territories regarding the reports, current for many days, that a tiger has killed two people in the neighbourhood of Taiwaichuen village, and that the story has been found to be completely without foundation. No tiger has been reported in the vicinity, nor have any reports been received by police of deaths or injury to any person. (1)

There are one or two points here: what were the migrating patterns of Chinese wolves? Fukien (Fujian) province is several hundred miles N.E .of China. Also, to quote Dale Drinnon in answer to my question as to whether there were any reports of wolves with stripes in Asia: “No, but there are hyenas in Asia and hyenas can present appearance. Say “ Wolves with stripes” and most Cryptozoologists are conditioned to think “ Thylacines”. I need to have more information that you have given me to suggest going down THAT route.” (2) Dale wanted me to emphasise this declaimer that he has up to now ( 6.35pm Tuesday 2-11-10) not read this report.

A question dated January 2010 on Yahoo! Answers by Wolf-lover “ Do you get wolves in China?” was answered by nurnord (sic) Best Answer: “ Absolutely there are isolated population pockets of the Grey Wolf across south-west, western and the entire northern region of China” (3)

A report titled ` Report on New Territories 1899-1912` commented: “ A few small wolves still survive among the hills occasionally descending to commit depredations in the farm yards. (4) Is this the behaviour of a dhole, or even a thylacine?!

Taiwaicheun is between Sha Tin and Lion Rock

1.The Hong Kong Telegraph January 30th 1937 p.1
2. D.Drinnon E-mail to R.Muirhead November 2nd 2010
3.Yahoo! Answers. Do you get wolves in China? Resolved Question. http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091229102550AAGudHm
4. Author unknown. Report on New Territories 1899-1912 p.52 (1912)