MTR services on the Tsuen Wan line were disrupted on Friday for about an hour due to a monkey on the tracks. This is the second primate-related transit incident in as many days.
Police and staff from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation responded to reports of the monkey sighting at around 9am at Tsuen Wan station.
Normal services resumed around 10am after the monkey was removed.
On Thursday, a similar rush-hour incident at Kowloon Bay station caused disruption on the Kwun Tong line. Journey times increased but train frequencies were not affected, according to the rail operator.
Executive Chairman of the Association of Non-Profit Veterinary Services Mark Mak said It can be said that wild animals will inevitably enter urban areas for food in a city like Hong Kong, where city centers and rural areas are close to each other.
“We are building a city in animal habitats, how can we tell the animals, ‘Do you know this is not your home?’ They wouldn’t know, so don’t worry if animals appear in the city,” he was quoted as saying in Cantonese.
Trespassing on train tracks is punishable by up to HK$5,000, while entering paid zones without a ticket carries a maximum penalty of HK$5,000 or three years in prison.
Additional reporting: Hans Tse.
