Wildlife photographer Lawrence Hylton captures the creatures of Hong Kong

When people around the world think of Hong Kong, they’re more likely to picture a metropolis than a wildlife hub. But this region is actually full of diverse species, especially in its more natural areas. In fact, Hong Kong’s Nature Conservation Department says that the region “has over a thousand kilometers of rugged coastline, mountain ranges and country parks. So not surprisingly it is home to an impressive range of wildlife.”

Even for such a small area, Hong Kong has a ton of biodiversity. It’s kind of between the tropics and temperate climate zones, so there’s an interesting array of species found. According to the government, there are over “3,300 species of plants, 55 species of terrestrial mammals, 115 species of amphibians and reptiles, 194 species of freshwater fish, over 130 dragonfly species and about 245 butterfly species,” along with over 570 recorded bird species (making it home to a third of the total bird species in China).

With so many interesting plants and animals living in this region, wildlife photographers flock here. One photographer, Lawrence Hylton, is making waves by capturing all of this biodiversity. A Hong Kong-British photographer, Hylton has been showing the world Hong Kong’s plants and animals while also working to help preserve the natural beauty of the area. Hylton states on his website that it’s his “mission to promote ecological conservation through his artistic approach to nature photography.”

“I’m hoping people view [my photographs] as an opportunity to understand that nature isn’t as scary as we might deem them to be,” Hylton said. “The key is to show that animals have a right to live here. Just because we fear them doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve to live.” 

He takes photos of animals in both the day and night, trying to catch images that are unique and show animals in a previously unseen light. He even goes on “nocturnal safaris” a few times a week for the perfect pictures. In his portfolio and on his Instagram page, nature lovers can view close-ups of insects (including some of those butterfly species), lots and lots of snakes and majestic birds, among other gorgeous animals.