The mystery of the deceased simians

Officials investigate a sudden outbreak of death among monkeys at the little zoo section of the Botanical Gardens. Nine – the latest being a white-faced saki – have died in recent days. The Standard adds that ‘another De Brazza’s monkey exhibited unusual movement and appetite and is … under observation’. It quotes experts as saying the cause could be viruses or bacteria, perhaps Leptospira, or maybe insect bites, but ruling out heatstroke or overfeeding by visitors.

One other possibility is that they died of boredom – the facility is as grim as its (more or less) architectural contemporary, the old Victoria Prison. 

Or could it be the humans? The staff at the Botanical Gardens are unique among zookeepers worldwide in that they don’t seem to take any pleasure in feeding their animals – dumping the buckets of chopped fruit on the concrete floors of the cages with all the grace of a grumpy dai pai dong owner. Could it be that these low-level civil servants are so resentful at having to perform such demeaning tasks that they are poisoning the primates? Obviously not.

The zoo is of course linked to an aviary across Albany Road – so perhaps there is some sort of bird-on-mammal territorial conflict. Which would suggest this is a case of fowl play.

Yippee I have returned in time to catch the Chief Executive’s policy address later today. The Standard says

[CE John] Lee said he chose green [as a cover for the document] to show continuity of policies and signify harmony, vitality and prosperity, showcasing that the city is marching from a place of order to one of prosperity.

A radical shift from the old days, when the booklet would be pink to signify harmony, vitality and prosperity, or blue to signify harmony, vitality and prosperity, or orange to signify harmony, vitality and prosperity.

Lee stopped short of giving further details when asked about the key points and length of his policy address.

“I know that everybody’s very keen to know about the content of the policy address,” Lee said.

“You will know everything when I announce it.”

Apparently the highlight will be cheaper booze in order to stimulate the low-altitude economy, or something.

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8 Responses to The mystery of the deceased simians

  1. Green tie with drawing of skyscrapers on it symbolising a tie with skyscrapers on it says:

    Wouldn’t be surprised if a visitor (the sort of visitor that scoffs at all local customs and laws to get a selfie for the little red book) fed them chocolate or something else lethal to monkeys.
    Good observation about the zoo crew. Staff at that park are utter cunts. Try bringing a child on a scooter. Or letting a child play on the fountain. They won’t let people even sit on the fountain wall, a perfect place to sit….

  2. James says:

    Have heard so many thoughts in the media, from the Chambers, minibus drivers, and cha chaan tengs on vacancy tax, cultural investment, SME financial relief, greater mainland expansion opportunities… But no. Instead, let’s make liters of gin a couple bucks cheaper – for a month before landlords pocket the difference. If security weren’t the only priority, policy from an ex-colonial copper would be laughable instead of pathetic. Oh well. In the inestimable words of a cartoon clown, “Open yer yaps, boyos”.

  3. Curried Lamb says:

    Monkeys committed suicide because jealous of the pandas.

  4. Chinese Netizen says:

    “They won’t let people even sit on the fountain wall, a perfect place to sit….”
    That’s a very mainland China mentality. Can’t let people rest for a few minutes on anything that can be mistaken for a bench because heaven forbid they stay much longer, break out the food and the next thing you know you have a full picnic and of course, the residual litter tissues and boxes strewn all over after the people leave for the staff to clean up.

    As far as treatment of animals, I’d give the benefit of the doubt to employees as *usually* when there is a human caregiver/caged animal relationship, the humans often develop sympathy and a feeling of love and responsibility for the critters. Usually.
    But visitors can be total cunts, of course. Go watch the crowds at mainland zoos. Behaviour much more interesting than watching the caged animals.

  5. Load Toad says:

    I’m flying out of HKG tonight for seven weeks.

    Can’t wait.

    Good bye and good luck.

    (If I don’t come back – happy days)

  6. Mary Melville says:

    I gave up going to Kam Sheung Country Park years ago when I could not longer bear the sight of local C…s driving up in bulky SUVs, the park entrance probably the closest they ever got to four wheel drive terrain, and taunting the monkeys there with their lunch left overs.
    Folk who wanted to access the trails then forced to fend off the hyped up primates.

  7. steve says:

    I’ve always found the aviary a pretty wonderful oasis. Took many out of town visitors there over the years, and they all loved it. There is sufficient space for the birds to live their lives in something resembling a natural environment. It’s exhilarating to see species up close that you’d normally never encounter. And that environment is lush, green, and utterly non-plastic. It all seems to be thoughtfully and carefully maintained. I hope that’s true.

  8. Chinese Netizen says:

    @Mary Melville: The “hyped up primates” being those local c***s in their bulky SUVs that have spotless tyres and appropriate branding?

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