On a Facebook page - Country Parks Education Programmes, run by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, a post on Monday evening clarified that they were behind the mysterious wooden sculpture that appeared in Shek O, over the weekend.

The department said the sculpture - made of wood scraps salvaged from trees felled during typhoons - was “experimental in nature,” and has since been removed after knowing it looked out of place.

The installation, a three-prong claw about 1.7 meters tall, was first spotted by hikers on Saturday. On social media, users called the sculpture an eyesore that ruined the natural environment.

In the Facebook post, the AFCD said it understands that the view from the famed hiking trail is the “main attraction” and assured the public that the ominous claw will not be making a comeback.