In August 2026, Ocean Park Hong Kong launched its new Asian Horseshoe Crab Conservation and Breeding Centre—the city's only ex-situ facility dedicated to protecting these threatened marine species. The centre focuses on targeted breeding for future repopulation of local endangered horseshoe crabs, while also serving as an educational platform.
These "living fossils" have existed for over 475 million years, yet their local population has plummeted by over 90% in the past two decades. The centre will expand ex-situ rearing capacity, boost hatchling survival rates, and coordinate strategic wild releases, complementing the broader monitoring, research, habitat protection, and education efforts.
Two of the world's four horseshoe crab species are native to Hong Kong: the mangrove horseshoe crab and the tri-spine horseshoe crab, the latter being listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2019 due to habitat loss and degradation. The new centre serves as a sanctuary for rescued horseshoe crabs and a dedicated breeding ground. Through collaboration with Asian experts, Ocean Park has already produced its first batch of juveniles from rescued tri-spine horseshoe crabs, which are now being nurtured for future wild release. The upgraded facility also provides a controlled environment for adult breeding, juvenile health monitoring, rehabilitation, and release preparation, all aimed at restoring fragile local populations and a protection of the entire mudflat ecosystem.
The Asian Horseshoe Crab Conservation and Breeding Centre of Ocean Park Hong Kong has become a supporting project of Patagonia 1% for the Planet since August 2026.
 
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