Endangered primate Hu Hu dies after medical procedure at Hong Kong's Ocean Park as Year of the Monkey looms
Golden snub-nosed monkey, one of three on loan from Chengdu Zoo, had a cardiac arrest after undergoing general anaesthesia to have its shoulder examined
A golden snub-nosed monkey – one of three on loan to Ocean Park from Chengdu Zoo – died on Thursday after a general anaesthesia procedure in order to have its shoulder examined.
Five-year-old female monkey Hu Hu’s death came four days before the new Year of the Monkey, to be ushered in on February 8.
The golden snub-nosed monkey is classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and has been declared a national treasure by the central government.
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They are normally found in west-central China, mainly in mountainous forests which are covered by snow for several months every year.
There are around 16,000 golden snub-nosed monkeys left.
According to an Ocean Park spokeswoman, Hu Hu woke from the general anaesthesia, but suffered an unexpected cardiopulmonary arrest during recovery and could not be revived.
The monkey was put under the procedure to have its right shoulder examined, after it failed to respond to pain medication given for issues with the shoulder earlier this month.
Further histopathology tests will be needed to determine the exact cause of death, she said.
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The spokeswoman said that the decision to put Hu Hu under general anaesthesia was discussed with Chengdu Zoo.
“While we are saddened by the passing of Hu Hu, we understand this was an unfortunate accident that happened because of the inherent risks involved,” said Yu Jianqui, assistant director of Chengdu Zoo.
Hu Hu had been living at the Sichuan Treasures facility since January 2012. Together with Le Le, another female monkey and Qi Qi, a male monkey who arrived in Hong Kong just last August, the three were on loan from Chengdu Zoo as part of a nationwide ex situ conservation breeding programme and public education programme.
