Monkey attacks in Hong Kong

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http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2004/04/22/432419-ap.html

April 22, 2004

Monkey attacks in Hong Kong

 

HONG KONG (AP) -- Alarmed by a growing number of monkey attacks on people,

Hong Kong conservation officials said they're trying to catch several rogue

animals and send them away.

 

" We are trying our best to catch those monkeys who have become serious

disturbances to country park visitors, " said Albert Hui, a spokesman for the

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

 

Hong Kong has an estimated 1,380 wild monkeys living in two rural parks, and

some have been causing more than their share of mayhem. They attack

picnickers and hikers, stealing food and sometimes throwing unwanted items

back at the victims.

 

Complaints about monkey disturbances, as such cases are classified, rose to

126 last year, from 115 in 2002, Hui said.

 

Hui said several monkeys have been targeted, though he didn't have an exact

figure. He said some traps have been set in hopes of catching the worst

offenders. The monkeys causing the biggest problems are believed to have

been outcast from their natural families.

 

Hong Kong hopes to send the monkeys to overseas or mainland Chinese zoos.

 

Officials had previously set up a sterilization program to keep down the

numbers of monkeys, but the population has apparently been growing. The

monkeys occasionally stray into urban areas of Hong Kong, causing more

problems.