Stingrays draw crowds to Tai Po's Lam Tsuen River

A large number of stingrays have been spotted near the surface of Lam Tsuen River in Tai Po in recent days, drawing crowds of onlookers – with some having tried to catch them.

The stingrays were still visible this morning, with some swimming close to the riverbank.

Other fish were also spotted in the water, drawing onlookers to both sides of the river.

Some even brought long-lens cameras, hoping capturing the stingrays in pictures, but some tried to really “capture” them with fishing rods.

Nearby residents say stingrays have appeared in the river from time to time – sometimes with sightings as many as 20.

Another resident says they have seen stingrays being sold at a nearby wet market but as the riverbed’s sediment is extremely dirty, so the fish here bears an unpleasant smell.

The species spotted this time is the red stingray, which mainly feeds on small fish and bottom-dwelling organisms.

Some fish experts say Lam Tsuen River is where fresh and salt water meet, making it possible for stingrays to survive there.

The expert believes the stingrays may have entered the river in search of food following the fishing moratorium and recent heavy rainfall, which may have washed pollutants from the riverbed and stirred up food sources.

But the public is being urged to keep their distance, as some stingrays have venomous spines on their tails.