A Hong Kong zoo was closed on Monday after eight animals were found dead, with a necropsy under way to determine the cause of death.
The animals found dead on Sunday at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Central comprised a De Brazza’s monkey, a common squirrel monkey, three cotton-top tamarins and three white-faced saki monkeys, according to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
“Necropsy and laboratory tests have been arranged immediately to help find out their cause of death,” leisure authorities, which are liaising with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, said early on Monday.
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“While awaiting test results, the Mammals Section of the [Zoological and Botanical Gardens] will be closed from [Monday] for disinfection and cleaning works. We will also closely monitor the health conditions of other animals.”
Other facilities at the park would remain open during this period, it added.
According to a Post check, the park blocked the roads leading to the mammal section with barricades, while monkeys remained inside their cages. Staff members were seen cleaning the area without protective gear.
Notices hung on the barricades said the mammal section would be closed until October 20 for cleaning and disinfection.
Some tourists were disappointed by the closure.
“I came to that [mammal] area because I knew there were monkeys,” said US tourist Steffany Poon, who is on a week-long trip to the city.
But Martin Bella and his wife, who are visiting the city from the Czech Republic, were impressed with the park.
“We just walked by and were glad to find a botanical garden and zoo open to the public for free. And it is clean here,” Bella said. “There is a little disappointment of course. But it is still a good place to visit.”
The city’s oldest park, with an area of 5.6 hectares (13.8 acres), was first fully open to the public in 1871 and was renamed Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in 1975.
The zoo houses about 158 birds, 93 mammals and 21 reptiles in about 40 enclosures.
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