The government announced on Sunday that another Common Squirrel Monkey from the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens has tragically passed away, bringing the total number of monkey deaths to 11. This devastating news comes after the recent death of a tenth Common Squirrel Monkey. Both monkeys had been placed in isolation following a series of deaths that began a week ago.
Earlier reports indicated that nine monkeys had died from sepsis after contracting melioidosis, possibly due to soil disturbance near their habitat. Autopsies revealed a high concentration of the bacteria responsible for the disease in the monkeys’ organs. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will be conducting necropsies to determine if the cause of death in this latest case is consistent with the previous incidents.
Currently, one De Brazza Monkey remains in isolation as a precautionary measure. Officials have reassured the public that the bacteria identified in the monkeys are not likely to be transmitted to humans.
The recent string of monkey deaths at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens has raised concerns about the well-being of the animals in captivity. While the exact circumstances surrounding these tragedies are still under investigation, it is clear that urgent measures need to be taken to prevent further loss of life among the primates.
Animal welfare advocates have called for a thorough review of the zoo’s protocols and procedures to ensure the safety and health of all resident animals. The public is also urged to remain vigilant and report any unusual behavior or symptoms exhibited by the animals to the authorities.
In light of these unfortunate events, the government and zoo management must work together to implement stringent measures to protect the remaining monkeys and prevent any future outbreaks of infectious diseases. It is crucial that lessons are learned from this tragedy to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
