Monkey business on Hong Kong MTR tracks slows rush-hour trains
Trains ran at reduced speeds on Kwun Tong line for about an hour before animal left on its own, MTR Corp says
A monkey disrupted peak-hour train services in Hong Kong for nearly an hour on Thursday morning after straying onto the tracks near a busy MTR station.
The MTR Corporation, the city’s rail operator, said an animal had made its way onto the tracks near Kowloon Bay station, prompting trains on the Kwun Tong line to run at reduced speeds.
While train frequency was unaffected, overall journey times increased by five to eight minutes. Passengers were advised to allow extra time for travel.
Police said they received a report at 6.45am and later confirmed the animal was a monkey. It was also spotted on the Kwun Tong-bound platform at the station.
At 7.35am, the MTR Corp said the incident had ended after the monkey left on its own, with services gradually returning to normal.
According to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, there are about 2,000 to 2,100 monkeys in Hong Kong, predominantly the rhesus macaque with some hybrids between this species and the long-tailed macaque.
They can mostly be found in Kam Shan, Lion Rock, Shing Mun and nearby country parks.