Ocean Park announced the loss of a five-year-old female golden snub-nosed monkey “Hu Hu”. She passed away yesterday after a general anaesthesia procedure undertaken to examine her right shoulder. The exact cause of death is pending further histopathology tests.
On Tuesday, 2 February, Hu Hu was observed to be favouring her right shoulder. She did not respond to initial treatment with pain medications. After discussing with Chengdu Zoo, a decision was made to investigate her shoulder under general anaesthesia. Hu Hu awoke from the procedure, but during recovery she suffered an unexpected cardiopulmonary arrest. The Park’s veterinary team immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but she could not be revived.
Ms. Suzanne Gendron, Executive Director of Zoological Operations and Education, said, “This was a very unfortunate outcome and all the staff members who have cared for her are deeply saddened. We will miss Hu Hu, who had been with us for four years as an important animal ambassador, raising public awareness of the importance of protecting wild golden monkeys and their natural habitats, and helping drive their conservation.”
Mr. Yu Jianqiu, Assistant Director of Chengdu Zoo, said, “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. The Park’s professional and experienced veterinary team was rigorous in their planning of and well prepared for the procedure. We believe Ocean Park will take the most stringent manner in the necropsy of Hu Hu to understand the cause of death and avoid similar situations, while strengthening the conservation, husbandry and protection of the other two golden monkeys.”
Hu Hu had been residing at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures since her arrival in January 2012. Together with 6-year-old female golden monkey Le Le and 5-year-old male golden monkey Qi Qi, she was on loan to Ocean Park from Chengdu Zoo as part of a nationwide ex-situ conservation breeding programme and public education ambassador programme to help inspire the Park’s visitors to value conserving biodiversity, increase the public’s interest in conservation issues and engage the visitors and community to take positive conservation action.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Department of Forestry of Sichuan Province were notified of the incident.
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