According to the latest Hong Kong Zoo news, Between Sunday and Monday, nine monkeys died at the HKZBG. On Sunday, eight monkeys were discovered dead within the zoo’s mammal section, while another monkey died the following day after exhibiting unusual behavior.
The deceased animals included species such as the De Brazza’s monkey, common squirrel monkey, white-faced sakis and three cotton-top tamarins, the latter being a species listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
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According to the latest Hong Kong Zoo news, On Sunday, zoo staff discovered eight monkeys dead in their enclosures. The Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which manages the zoo immediately launched an investigation into the cause of these unexpected deaths.
On Monday, a ninth monkey was found dead bringing the total number of fatalities to nine within just two days.
Among the deceased were three cotton-top tamarins, a species listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
In addition to the nine deaths, zoo staff observed unusual behavior in two more monkeys. These animals showed signs of abnormal movement and appetite.
Sadly, one of the affected monkeys, a De Brazza’s monkey died on Monday, while the other is still under close watch.
The deaths of three cotton-top tamarins, a critically endangered species have caused concern. These small monkeys known for their distinctive white tufts of fur are native to South America and face threats from habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.
Among the dead monkeys, one De Brazza’s monkey and one common squirrel monkey were identified. Three cotton-top tamarins were also lost. Four white-faced sakis, which are another species housed at the zoo.
In response to the mysterious deaths, part of the zoo has been sealed off to the public and thoroughly disinfected to prevent any spread of pathogens.
The mammal section housed the deceased monkeys, has been closed for cleaning, disinfection and further observation.
According to Hong Kong zoo news reports, the zoo’s management is prioritizing the health and well-being of other animals, making sure that the remaining 80 mammals in the park are being closely monitored.
Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, acknowledged the severity of the incident during his weekly press briefing on Tuesday.
He reassured the public that experts had been called in to conduct necropsies and toxicological tests to determine the exact cause of the deaths.
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According to the latest Hong Kong Zoo news, as part of the investigation, necropsies are being performed on the deceased monkeys to identify any signs of disease or poisoning.
Toxicological tests are also underway to rule out the possibility of environmental toxins being responsible for the deaths. Until the results of these tests are available, authorities are taking precautionary measures to prevent fatalities.
One theory that has surfaced during the investigation is the outbreak of a zoonotic disease, which can spread from animals to humans.
According to Jason Baker, the senior vice president of PETA Asia, monkeys in captivity are often exposed to pathogens that may cause zoonotic diseases such as tuberculosis, Chagas disease, cholera and MRSA.
Baker expressed concern that the confinement of monkeys in unnatural environments like zoos increases the risk of these animals contracting and spreading such diseases to humans.
The Hong Kong government held an urgent interdepartmental meeting to discuss the incident. The focus of the meeting was to strategize the investigation, coordinate efforts between various departments and determine the next steps to prevent casualties among the zoo’s animal population.
During the meeting, it was confirmed that the behavior of another De Brazza’s monkey was being monitored due to unusual signs in its behavior and appetite.
According to the latest Hong Kong Zoo news, authorities have confirmed that aside from the one De Brazza’s monkey under observation, all 80 other animals at the zoo are in good health.
These animals include a variety of other mammals, birds and reptiles housed in around 40 enclosures within the zoo.
The health and safety of these animals remain a top priority for zoo officials, who are monitoring them closely for any signs of illness or abnormal behavior.
The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens often referred to as HKZBG, it is Hong Kong’s oldest park with its history stretching back to 1860. The park officially opened to the public in 1871. Located in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central district.
The zoo houses around 158 birds, 93 mammals and 21 reptiles including several endangered species.
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