bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Connor Mycroft

Leopold Chen

A ninth monkey has died at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, authorities have revealed.
The mammals section of the zoo in Central was closed on Monday after eight monkeys were found dead the previous day, prompting authorities to conduct necropsies to help find the cause. The ninth one died on Monday morning.
A professor and an animal NGO described the multiple fatalities as uncommon.
A white-faced saki monkey, which had been observed with an abnormal appetite and behaviour on Monday, was the ninth animal to die, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said. A De Brazza’s monkey had similar symptoms and was being closely watched, it said.
“Currently, all 80 animals in the park are in good health,” it said, adding that the affected enclosures would undergo thorough disinfection and cleaning.
Three cotton-top tamarins, three white-faced saki monkeys, a De Brazza’s monkey and a common squirrel monkey were found dead on Sunday, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department said earlier.


“Necropsy and laboratory tests have been arranged immediately to help find out their cause of death,” the department, which runs the zoo, said.
“While awaiting test results, the mammals section of the [zoo] will be closed from [Monday] for disinfection and cleaning works. We will also closely monitor the health conditions of other animals.”
It also said it was liaising with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
Other facilities in the zoo would remain open during this period, it added.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals described the deaths as a “tragic event”.
“The occurrence of multiple animal fatalities within a short time frame is uncommon, and an investigation is required to pinpoint the cause,” it added.
Florence Tang Mei-kuen, a lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s school of biomedical sciences, said such events were “relatively rare” and possible causes could include the spread of an infectious disease, poisoning, poor habitat conditions or negligence.
She said visitor interactions could also pose risks to the monkeys, as people could accidentally feed the animals items that were toxic to them, causing serious health issues and even death.
Tang said certain fruits, nuts, or processed snacks, including those with artificial sweeteners, and chocolate could all be toxic to monkeys.
“Feeding zoo animals is often prohibited for safety reasons,” she said. “Visitors who ignore these rules endanger the animals and violate regulations designed to protect wildlife.”
This incident underscores the urgent need to re-evaluate the ethics of keeping animals in zoos
Jason Baker, Peta Asia
She said an investigation was likely to cover “visitor interactions and any potential contributions from human activities to ensure a safe environment for the remaining animals”.
Jason Baker, senior vice-president at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) Asia, said the incident raised concerns about the potential outbreak of zoonotic diseases, such as monkeypox, which could spread from animals to humans.
He pointed to a recent string of animal deaths in Vietnam, where 47 tigers, three lions and a panther housed at zoos in the southern part of the country died after contracting the H5N1 bird flu virus.
“These intelligent and social beings were confined in unnatural conditions, leading to stress, illness, and ultimately, death,” he said.
“This incident underscores the urgent need to re-evaluate the ethics of keeping animals in zoos and other facilities where their welfare is compromised.”
Howard Chuk Hau-chung, head of zoological operations and conservation at Ocean Park, said its team had been in contact with the zoo.
“From my experience, a necropsy would be the first step in an investigation into an animal death as it would give us more information, so we need to wait for the results,” he said.
“Our caretakers and veterinarians can assist them if needed.”

Roads leading to the mammals section have been closed with barricades, while monkeys remain inside their cages. Staff members were seen cleaning the area.
Notices on the barricades said the section would be closed until October 20 for cleaning and disinfection.
Some tourists expressed disappointment at the closure.
“I came to that [mammal] area because I knew there were monkeys,” said US tourist Steffany Poon, who is on a week-long trip to the city.
But Martin Bella and his wife, who are visiting the city from the Czech Republic, were impressed with the park.
“We just walked by and were glad to find a botanical garden and zoo open to the public for free. And it is clean here,” Bella said. “There is a little disappointment, of course. But it is still a good place to visit.”
The city’s oldest park, with an area of 5.6 hectares (13.8 acres), first fully opened to the public in 1871. It was renamed the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in 1975.
The zoo houses 158 birds, 93 mammals and 21 reptiles in about 40 enclosures.
Additional report by Lo Hoi-ying, Jeffie Lam and Danny Mok


260 people go head-to-head in football event to raise money for Operation Santa Claus

Northern Metropolis strategy taking shape but questions remain

Raise fines on Hongkongers for illegal imports of groceries

2 arrested in raid on Hong Kong restaurant illegally streaming Liverpool game

Hong Kong society

Ninth monkey dies at Hong Kong zoo, other animals in good health, bureau says

A De Brazza’s monkey was among eight animals found dead at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens on Sunday. Photo: Sam Tsang

A worker cleaning a cage at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Central. The mammals section of the zoo has been closed until October 20. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong police investigate animal abandonment after 35 cats found in Sai Kung

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says the abandoned cats are of a variety of breeds, which included expensive ones such as British Shorthairs and Chinchillas. Photo: Handout

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says it found 35 cats over three days after getting anonymous calls alerting its members. Photo: Handout

Monitor lizard ‘Aberdeen’, long-time animal ambassador in Hong Kong, dies at 16

Monitor lizard “Aberdeen” escaped from care for nearly two weeks last year. Photo: Sam Tsang

Aberdeen is believed to have been illegally smuggled into the city. Photo: Sam Tsang

News

Hong Kong

Society

A De Brazza’s monkey, a common squirrel monkey, three cotton-top tamarins and three white-faced saki monkeys found dead earlier


A De Brazza’s monkey, a common squirrel monkey, three cotton-top tamarins and three white-faced saki monkeys found dead earlier.


Animals