9 monkeys die in 2 days under mysterious circumstances at Hong Kong zoo

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong’s oldest zoo is searching for solutions in a monkey medical thriller after 9 animals died in two days, together with three members of a critically endangered species.

A part of the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens has been sealed off and disinfected, and specialists have been referred to as in to conduct necropsies and toxicological checks, Hong Kong chief John Lee stated in his weekly press briefing Tuesday.

Eight monkeys have been discovered lifeless on Sunday, and one other died Monday after uncommon conduct. The deceased animals included a De Brazza’s monkey, a standard squirrel monkey, 4 white-faced sakis and three cotton-top tamarins — a species listed as critically endangered by the Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature.

“At any time when we’ve any information, if there’s a brand new growth, an announcement needs to be made as quickly as doable, so that everybody can know in regards to the info,” Lee stated.

On Monday, the Secretary for Tradition, Sports activities and Tourism Kevin Yeung held an pressing interdepartmental assembly in regards to the deaths with Leisure and Cultural Companies Division, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Division and the Division of Well being. It stated in an announcement that one other De Brazza’s monkey’s conduct and urge for food have been discovered to be uncommon, requiring additional commentary.

However all 80 different animals within the gardens have been in regular situation, it added.

The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens — the oldest park within the former British colony — totally opened to the general public in 1871. It’s a uncommon city oasis within the downtown Central district of the monetary hub which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997.