The government is investigating the deaths of nine monkeys at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG).

The dead animals were four White-faced Sakis, three Cotton-top Tamarins, one De Brazza’s Monkey and one Common Squirrel Monkey.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said it's liaising with officials from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, and autopsies and other tests are being carried out to determine the cause of death.

It said the mammals section of the facility in Central was closed from Monday for disinfection.

"We will also closely monitor the health conditions of other animals," the LCSD said in a statement.

"During this period, other facilities of the HKZBG will remain open."

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung on Monday convened an urgent interdepartmental meeting to discuss the matter.

In a statement, the government said officials have completed the disinfection and cleaning of animal cages involved, and staff working at the park are in healthy conditions.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it is uncommon to have multiple animal fatalities within a short time-frame, and an investigation was needed to pinpoint the cause.

It hoped the results could provide clarity and insight into the incident.

Dr Florence Tang, from the Chinese University's School of Biomedical Sciences, said there was a low possibility of infectious diseases being spread.

"If the [death of the] monkeys were caused by infectious diseases, there should be an incubation period. During the incubation period, they should show symptoms," she told RTHK.

"But there were no signals for those keepers to alert those monkeys were sick. The other monkeys are very happy in the cages."

She added that some visitors might have fed the monkeys.

Tang reminded park visitors to avoid having close contact with animals there, and operators should step up sanitation measures to prevent similar incidents from happening.

Park visitors, meanwhile, were left disappointed with the temporary closure of the mammals section.

A man and his granddaughter visited the gardens on Monday.

"I was a bit disappointed. Of course I think the closure was unfortunate. For us adults, the closure was not a big problem. But for children, they are more interested in the animals and they are more curious," he said.

"For me, I am reaching retirement age soon. I just take my granddaughter out to play when I am free."

Chhavi and her family came all the way from Australia just to find that the mammals section of the gardens was closed temporarily.

"[I] feel a bit disappointed obviously, and it just started from today," she said.

"We will probably see the birds and whatever we can."
_____________________________
Last updated: 2024-10-15 HKT 01:25