Leisure & Cultural Services Department officers have removed 17 alligator gars from lakes in five public parks.

The department has inspected all 20 artificial lakes in its parks and found alligator gars in Tak Wah, Chai Wan, Tsing Yi, Lai Chi Kok and Hong Kong Parks.

The public are reminded it is an offence to release fish in the department's venues. Doing so warrants 14 days' jail and a $2,000 fine.