In the last few weeks I have found
two new (to me at least) reports of “hyenas” in Hong Kong, which makes three
records altogether if the folklore of hyenas found in the Walled City in Kowloon
is to be believed, this slum being knocked down about 20 years
ago. According to a web site, the hyena existed in China
about 11,000 years ago.
The China Mail of September
26th 1883 reported:
“For more than a month past, some
large beast of prey, supposed to be either a panther or a hyena has been
occasionally seen by Chinamen on the hillside above Robinson Road and in other
localities and on one occasion recently an attempt was made to kill the creature
with bamboos , but it escaped unhurt. Last Monday night this unwelcome visitor
paid a visit to the back premises of Mr Stephen`s house, Rocklands and did
terrible execution amongst a herd of goats belonging to Mr Stephens , killing
eight and carrying one kid away altogether. Arrangements are being made to give
the animal a warm reception if it re-visits the same spot, and we hope soon to
hear of its death or capture (1)
Tytam Tiger The Hong Kong
Telegraph November 2nd 1892
THE TYTAM
TYGER
STANLEY
VILLAGE IN A STATE OF SIEGE
OUR OFFICE `GOAT` ON THE
TRACK
For the past few days a wild beast
of some kind has been devastating the country about Stanley and Tytam, sneaking
chickens, eating bacon alive, and even attacking children.No authentic
description of the monster is yet to hand ,but it is variously described as a
wolf, a tiger, a fiery flaming dragon, a panther, a tiger-cat, and even a wild
pig. The only thing certain about it is that it has big teeth, big enough to
nearly kill a child. The little girl who was bitten on Saturday is doing very
well over at the Hospital, though hardly quite out of danger
yet.
The villagers in that region were
terribly afraid (?). Last year Inspector Mann shot an awful monster of this sort
near Shau-ki-wan and after the brute was dead it was discovered to be a stray
dog. During life this `wonk` had figured as a panther, leopard, tiger and (if we
remember rightly) the Daily Press
called it a hyena. No wonder the poor thing came to tender hearted Mann and
asked to be killed.
Lately there have been reports of
tigers in Macao, and if a few of them were to
swim from Macao to Hong
Kong they would no doubt be…(2) . “ And here sadly the text goes on
to the following page which unfortunately I`ve been unable to find on the data
base. However, two things are clear.The incredulity of the English media in Hong
Kong at the time to believe in the possibility of tigers in Hong Kong and the
inclusion of beasts never officially recorded in Hong
Kong such as wolves and hyenas. Else I`ve found the odd reference to
cheetahs.
1. The China Mail
September 26th 1883
2. The Hong Kong Telegraph November
2nd 1892