Primate population: A large-scale contraceptive programme is being considered for Hong Kong's wild monkeys.

The feasibility of implementing a large-scale contraceptive programme to cover all wild monkey populations in Hong Kong is being considered by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department.

Responding to a question from Choy So-yuk in the Legislative Council today, Secretary for Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao said the move will be considered pending the results of the contraception trial which started in March last year.

So far, 20 female and 17 male monkeys in Kam Shan Country Park have been treated with contraceptive injections. To assess the effectiveness and impact of the contraceptives, the department is monitoring the monkeys and their family groups to see whether there are changes in their fertility status, social structure and behavioural patterns.

The department monitors wild monkeys' health and carries out disease surveillance in country parks. So far there has been no sign of infectious disease among the wild monkey populations in Hong Kong.

The department estimates there are about 30 wild monkeys in Sha Tin, inhabiting in the woodlands close to residential areas at Tai Wai. This group has been increasing at the same natural growth rate of 5%-7% a year as other wild monkey populations in Hong Kong.

In the past three years, the department received 114 reports/complaints - 27 in 2000, 29 in 2001 and 58 in 2002 - about sightings of monkeys or nuisances caused by them in the residential areas near Tai Wai.