Car runs over a civet cat in Sai Kung, having been mistakenly reported as a raccoon

^{Photos: 志偉攝/Sing Tao}

Around 9:35 pm last night (18/9), police received a report from a car driver that he had run over and killed a raccoon at 21 Hong Kin Road, Sai Kung. After arriving at the scene, the police found that the animal that had been run over was a civet cat.

The civet cat was found dead on the road opposite the Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre, its abdomen ruptured and intestines spilling out. Police officers moved the carcass to the pavement and covered it with a black plastic bag. Food and Environmental Hygiene Department staff were called to the scene and removed the carcass.

Because the facial markings and appearance of civets are somewhat similar to those of raccoons, there have been instances of misidentification in Hong Kong in the past. However, raccoons are not native to Hong Kong, and there are no known wild raccoon populations in the city; if residents encounter an animal that looks similar in the countryside, it is more likely to be a civet.

Civets are protected wild animals in Hong Kong, and the public is prohibited from capturing or hunting them without authorization. Anyone who illegally hunts civets or other protected wild animals is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for one year.