The Leisure & Cultural Services Department said today that eight animals were found dead yesterday in the Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical Gardens (HKZBG), adding that necropsy and laboratory tests were arranged immediately to ascertain the causes of their deaths.

The dead animals include one De Brazza’s Monkey, one Common Squirrel Monkey, three Cotton-top Tamarins and three White-faced Sakis.

The department said it had liaised with the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department on the matter.

It added that with the test results pending the Mammals Section of the HKZBG has been closed from today for disinfection and cleaning.

The department will closely monitor the health conditions of other animals. Other facilities in the HKZBG remain open.