Zoological Society are about to spend their vacation in the south of China where they will join a biogeographic study of China's animals.

The group consists of head zoo keeper and expedition coordinator Mr. James Conyers, zoo keeper Mr. Gary MacPherson, and zoo volunteers Miss Lesley Leefe, Miss Camilla Jones and Miss Mette Vilborg.

They leave on July 24 and for up to 20 days will engage in field work that will involve tracking, counting, catching and cataloguing a wide range of birds, mammals and reptiles.

The group will spend their evenings in "open-air classrooms'' where they will be instructed in biogeography, survey methodology, and other subjects related to the study from a number of experts from China, Hong Kong and North America.

The study, says Mr. Conyers, has three main objectives: to chronicle the presence or absence of species, describe and name novel forms, and make biogeographic comparisons to New World fauna.

The group, who will be working alongside research biologist and consulting ecologist Dr. Numi Goodyear, will be travelling through virtually uninhabited dense mountain forests of Lantau Island and the New Territories.

One group of the expedition has recently been given clearance to live-trap and radio track three species of civets -- cat-like mammals that are closely related to the mongoose.

"This is the first time that permission has been granted by Hong Kong authorities for civets to be studied in the area,'' said Mr. Conyers.

"The data collected will be used to develop further studies on wild populations. It will then be passed on to zoological institutions who have civets.

"Very little has been published about their behaviour in their natural habitat.

"Since 1982, the Conservation Agency has been investigating the wildlife of South China and Hong Kong. In 1987, due to increasing and critical conservation problems, work was centred on the territories of Hong Kong.'' Mr. Conyers added that this first expedition to the South China islands is intended as an introduction to field research.

"The Conservation Agency has extended an invitation to the BAMZ/BZS to become a regular part of the ongoing research on the South China islands.

"This is my first time down to that side of the world. It will give us all some background for later trips.'' Mr. Conyers said he was grateful to the Bermuda Regiment and its commanding officer, Lt. Col. Allan Rance, who have provided the equipment needed for the local team to be self-sufficent during their exploration of the rugged terrain.

CHINA-BOUND -- Five members of the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo will soon be jetting off to the South China islands. Pictured, from left, are Miss Lesley Leefe, Mr. James Conyers, Miss Mette Vilborg, Mr. Gary MacPherson and Miss Camilla Jones.