Hong Kong's oldest park closes a section after nine monkeys died in two days.
A Hong Kong zoo is investigating the deaths of nine monkeys, including three members of a critically endangered species, in two days.
Part of Hong Kong's Zoological and Botanical Garden, the territory's oldest, has been sealed and disinfected, Hong Kong leader John Lee said at his weekly news conference on Tuesday.
Activists said the incident raises concerns that keeping animals in captivity could increase the risk that diseases such as mpox could be transmitted to humans.
Eight monkeys were found dead on Sunday and another died on Monday after unusual behavior.
Experts have been called in to perform autopsies and toxicological tests.
“Whenever we have any news, if there is any new development, an announcement should be made as soon as possible, so that everyone can know the facts,” Lee said.
Among the deceased animals were a De Brazza's monkey, a common squirrel monkey, four white-faced sakis and three cotton-top tamarins, a species listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
On Monday, the government held an urgent interdepartmental meeting on the deaths. It said in a statement that the behavior and appetite of another De Brazza monkey was found to be unusual and required further observation.
However, the other 80 animals in the gardens are in normal condition, he added.
Zoonotic diseases
The animal welfare group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) expressed its concerns in a statement.
“Monkeys in captivity are often exposed to pathogens that cause diseases that can be transmitted to humans, such as tuberculosis, Chagas disease, cholera and MRSA,” said Jason Baker, senior vice president of PETA Asia.
He stated that the only way to ensure the well-being of animals and prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases is to stop confining them in unnatural environments.
Built in 1860, the oldest park in the territory is home to around 158 birds, 80 mammals and 21 reptiles in approximately 40 enclosures.
