HONG KONG - A SECOND rare Chinese sturgeon, which was one of 10 gift fish from Beijing in celebration of the Beijing Olympic Games in August, has died in a Hong Kong amusement park, officials said Friday.

The fish, which died last Wednesday, was being treated for an infection, Hong Kong's Ocean Park said in a statement. It did say what the infection was or whether it was the cause of death.

The park said it would investigate the matter with experts from mainland China who would arrive in Hong Kong later this month.

Two other Chinese sturgeons that have also shown similar symptoms were receiving medical attention since last week, it added.

It was the second Chinese sturgeon that has died in Ocean Park.

The first died in June after being bitten by barracudas housed in the same aquarium, prompting the park to move the Chinese sturgeons to a new facility.

The Chinese sturgeons were among 10 given by China's National Aquatic Wildlife Conservation Association in May and July as a gift from Beijing. They symbolize the five rings in the Olympic symbol.

The fish, which can reach up to five metres and weigh up to 500 kilograms, are an endangered species and are classified as protected animals in China. -- AP