Monkeys Take Over Private Pool Club in Hong Kong
Hong Kongers are no strangers to wildlife around the city in close proximity. Species such as wild boars, squirrels, and monkeys are most commonly seen in nature and wildly populated areas such as Kam Shan Country Park and Hong Kong Wetland Park, where one can typically spend a day exploring the diverse reservoirs and different species. Kam Shan Country Park, also known as Monkey Hill to locals, is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. The park is home to a large population of rhesus macaque monkeys, which are the largest group of mammals in the area. Other species that can be found in Golden Hill include the long-tailed macaque, squirrels, and a variety of bird species. However, one such species recently made headlines after intruding onto private property.
Residents of Hill Top Country Club in Lo Wai, a private pool club in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, were in for a surprise when a group of rhesus macaque monkeys decided to make a splash in the pool. The footage of the primates swimming and playing in the water quickly went viral on social media, with many people laughing at the sight.
According to a minute-long video that circulated online on Monday, at least 30 monkeys were seen at the swimming pool. The video shows the monkeys jumping into the pool, running along the edge, and even climbing the slide into the children's pool and lounging on the lounge beds at the country club. Upon analysis, Paul Crow, a senior conservation officer at the fauna conservation department at Kadoorie Farm And Botanic Garden, has confirmed that the monkeys seen in the video are indeed rhesus macaques.
A man is heard saying in the video that the pool was at Hill Top Country Club in Tsuen Wan. He said: “[It has] turned into a swimming pool for monkeys… They are so happy.”
A woman is also heard saying: “Oh no, how can [we] swim [in these pools now]?”
The club's management was quick to respond to the situation, closing the pools for cleaning and disinfection. Despite the chaos, it's clear that the monkeys had a great time at the pool club. And who knows, maybe they'll be back for another swim soon!
Sources:
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1712557-20230808.htm?spTabChangeable=0
https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_ks/cou_vis_cou_ks.html
