Students have been learning about one of Hong Kong’s most critically endangered species from a conservation expert.

Year 9 and 10 students visited the world renowned Kadoorie Farm Botanical Garden to hear a talk about the Chinese pangolin from Liz Rose-Jeffreys.

The resident expert, who works in the reptile research and relocation facility, shared fascinating information about this beautiful, peaceful creature.

But she also revealed some shocking and demoralising statistics about a species that in Hong Kong, and around the world, is teetering on the verge of extinction.

The students heard about the challenges faced by the pangolin in Hong Kong, and worldwide. They were also able to meet with scientists at Kadoorie’s DNA/Genetics research centre, who discovered a new species through the DNA testing of a scale from a seized shipment.