Mystery Illness Kills Nine Monkeys in Hong Kong's Oldest Zoo

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Facts

• Nine monkeys, including three critically endangered cotton-top Tamarins, were found dead at Hong Kong's oldest zoo on Sunday, prompting the closure of its mammal section.^[1][2]
• The deceased animals in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens are a De Brazza's monkey, a Common Squirrel Monkey, four White-Faced Sakis, and three Cotton-Top Tamarins.^[3][4]
• Zoo officials have arranged for necropsies and laboratory tests to determine the cause of death, while the mammal section undergoes disinfection and cleaning.^[5]
• Zoo staff have reportedly been observed feeding monkeys wearing full protective gear, as animal activists warn the incident can increase the risk of diseases that can be transmitted to humans, such as mpox.^[6][7]
• Opened in 1871, the zoo houses around 158 birds, 93 mammals, and 21 reptiles.^[8][5]

Sources: ^[1]Raw Story, ^[2]Al Jazeera, ^[3]CBS, ^[4]Associated Press, ^[5]Newsweek, ^[6]Independent, ^[7]Firstpost and ^[8]ABC News.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Newsweek. The sudden deaths of these monkeys raise serious concerns about the risk of zoonotic diseases that can spread from animals to humans. Monkeys in captivity are often exposed to pathogens that can be transmitted to humans, including tuberculosis, Chagas disease, cholera, and MRSA. It's time to end animal captivity and transition this facility into a botanical garden only.
• Narrative B, as provided by Independent. The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest and most respected zoological institutions in the world. The swift action taken by closing the mammal section for disinfection and cleaning demonstrates their commitment to animal welfare and public safety. This isolated incident shouldn't overshadow the important conservation and educational work carried out by the zoo.

Predictions