Hong Kong’s oldest park seals off part following dying of 9 monkeys in two days.
A zoo in Hong Kong is investigating the dying of 9 monkeys, together with three members of a critically endangered species, in two days.
A part of the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, the oldest within the territory, has been sealed off and disinfected, Hong Kong chief John Lee stated in his weekly press briefing on Tuesday.
Activists stated the incident raises considerations that maintaining animals in captivity can enhance the chance that illnesses corresponding to mpox might leap to people.
Eight monkeys have been discovered lifeless on Sunday and one other died on Monday after uncommon behaviour.
Consultants have been referred to as in to conduct necropsies and toxicological checks.
“Each time we’ve got any information, if there’s a brand new growth, an announcement ought to be made as quickly as attainable, so that everybody can know concerning the details,” Lee stated.
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.
On Monday, the federal government held an pressing interdepartmental assembly concerning the deaths. It stated in an announcement that one other De Brazza’s monkey’s behaviour and urge for food have been discovered to be uncommon, requiring additional remark.
Nevertheless, all 80 different animals within the gardens have been in regular situation, it added.
Zoonotic illnesses
Animal welfare group Folks for the Moral Remedy of Animals (PETA) expressed concern in an announcement.
“Monkeys in captivity are sometimes uncovered to pathogens that trigger illnesses that may be transmitted to people, together with tuberculosis, Chagas illness, cholera and MRSA,” Jason Baker, senior vice chairman of PETA Asia, stated.
He asserted that the one means to make sure the wellbeing of animals and forestall the unfold of zoonotic illnesses is to cease confining them in unnatural environments.
In-built 1860, the territory’s oldest park homes about 158 birds, 80 mammals and 21 reptiles in roughly 40 enclosures.