In brief
In the latest incident, 12 monkeys have been reported dead over a span of 10 days due to a bacterial infection believed to be caused by contaminated soil, prompting health concerns and calls for animal rights reforms.
A twelfth De Brazza's monkey died at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens as tests continue to determine if it succumbed to the same bacterial infection that has claimed the lives of 11 other monkeys within the last week. The deceased monkey had been in isolation since October 13, following the initial report of eight fatalities among the primate population. Autopsies performed on the deceased monkeys revealed a significant presence of sepsis-inducing bacteria, which are suspected to have originated from contaminated soil in the vicinity of the enclosures. Officials from Hong Kong's Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau noted that workers digging near the animal habitats may have inadvertently introduced the contaminated soil to the area after walking through it. Veterinary epidemiologist Dirk Pfeiffer, from the City University of Hong Kong, reassured the public that the likelihood of the infection spreading to humans is "fairly low." However, he also emphasized the importance of monitoring soil contamination, particularly in Asia, where instances are often underreported. "It is always worrying if multiple mortalities suddenly occur in captive animal populations where this has not happened before," Pfeiffer stated.The initial 11 monkeys that perished included several endangered species, such as cotton-top tamarins and white-faced sakis, alongside other monkeys including the De Brazza's monkey. Preliminary results confirm that the deceased animals died from melioidosis, an infectious disease that can be transmitted through contact with contaminated soil, air, or water. The disease is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a bacterium found predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions.The last monkey’s death was confirmed on Tuesday, with early examinations indicating it suffered from "similar lesions in the tissues of its organs." Despite these unfortunate events, authorities claim that the health of the remaining 78 mammals in the zoo is stable. The mammal section of the zoo has been closed since October 14 for thorough disinfection and cleaning procedures.The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, renowned for being the oldest park in the city, spans 14 acres within the urban landscape. In light of the current situation, animal rights group PETA has raised alarms about the risk of zoonotic diseases, such as monkeypox, which can transfer from animals to humans. PETA's campaign manager, Abigail Forsyth, commented to BBC, urging for a shift in focus towards safeguarding animal welfare: "The only way to ensure the emotional and physical health of animals and prevent further deaths and the spread of zoonotic diseases is to stop imprisoning them for 'entertainment' and instead focus on protecting their natural habitats." Notably, the earliest recorded case of melioidosis in Hong Kong occurred in the mid-1970s, when 24 dolphins unexpectedly died of the disease in Ocean Park, a local theme park.
