Hong Kongers rush to adopt threatened hamsters

Hong Kong’s hamsters are under threat.

But thousands are stepping up in an attempt to save them.

Since the government ordered a mass cull of hamsters over COVID-19 fears on Tuesday (january 18) people have volunteered in droves to save 2,000 at risk hamsters from pet shops, storage facilities and those abandoned by families.

The cull order came after an outbreak was linked to a worker in the Little Boss petshop, where 11 hamsters subsequently tested positive for the virus.

But scientists around the world and Hong Kong health and veterinary authorities have said there was no evidence animals play a major role in human contagion with coronavirus.

Hong Kong has pursued a policy of zero tolerance of COVID-19 and Health Secretary Sophia Chan said the government would not be taking any chances.

Those who adopted a hamster after December 22 have been urged to hand them over the authorities for culling.

While it is unclear how many have been handed in, public broadcaster RTHK said some hamster owners, like Jackie, were seen surrendering their animals at a government facility in the New Territories.

"I want to follow the government's policy because anti-coronavirus measures are critical."

REPORTER: "Is your kid unhappy about it?"

"Yes, but this is our civic duty that my kid needs to learn."

Meanwhile, online groups formed to identify new owners for the unwanted pet rodents.

The administrator of 'Hong Kong the Cute Hamster Group' on the Telegram social media app, says he has already been contacted by 3,000 people willing to help.

Ching Li is one such volunteer:

"The purpose of our action is to rescue the hamsters. Since yesterday we have seen that many innocent hamsters have been sent for euthanasia even though they tested negative for COVID-19. The hamster owners were worried and brought them here. In fact, the hamsters are innocent. They cannot be sentenced to death because of the virus. We all feel depressed and blame ourselves for not being able to help, so we are here today to save them."

Aside from ordering the cull, authorities asked dozens of pet shops to close, while imports and sales of small mammals were suspended.