On Monday September 11th, the Hong Kong Animal Post Instagram account (@hkanimalnews) reproduced the details of an incident reported to them by a concerned volunteer. It involved an older man witnessed roaming Shing Mun Reservoir repeatedly shooting at monkeys with rocks using a rustic-looking slingshot. The volunteer further speculated that some rocks did in fact make contact with monkeys before they managed to escape down the mountain.

The wording of section 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169) is clear; “any person who cruelly beats, kicks, ill-treats […] tortures, infuriates, or terrifies any animal, or causes or procures […] any unnecessary suffering to be so caused to any animal … shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of $200,000 and to imprisonment for 3 years.”

Unfortunately, the chances of a successful conviction greatly rely upon the provision of solid physical evidence to the detriment of the defendant. In this case, the volunteer filmed the man in the aftermath of the attack, but was told by attending officers that it would be difficult to make an arrest without footage of the specific purported criminal act.

When asked to comment on the incident, police confirmed that the volunteer’s report had been recorded, but that no further action would be taken as the man in question could not be located and “no damage to plants or injuries to animals were evident.” The volunteer has appealed to citizens passing through the area to take video footage and call the police if they witness anyone shooting at or near monkeys in the future.

While the man’s motivations for his actions remain unclear, Mark Sharp’s article published on the South China Morning Post website in 2016 suggests that contempt for monkey welfare in Hong Kong is a long-standing issue. Titled ‘Wild Behaviour on Monkey Mountain,’ Sharp paints the image of a man waiting in line for the minibus with a “sturdy catapult tucked into his shorts, like a pistol in a holster.” Questioning the intended use of the instrument, he muses; “what for? Protection or sport?” The author recalls visitors tempting monkeys down from the trees with snacks before suddenly throwing the remaining food and containers at animals who came too close for comfort.

Chance encounters with wildlife are part and parcel of humans entering their natural habitat. Therefore, the normalisation of violence towards animals in such scenarios is problematic for the creation of a harmonious co-existence. Consistent and uniform application of the law by authorities unto individuals who choose to harm native wildlife is imperative to send a strong message that this type of behaviour will not be condoned.

Courtesy of: Saskia Sinha

Sources: HK Animal News Post; SCMP.