A zoo in southwestern China has planned to relocate cats amid debate over monkey mountain cohabitation.

The video was filmed in Kunming City in Yunnan Province on January 25.

Kunming Zoo has become the centre of an extraordinary story involving monkeys and cats cohabitating in a way that has raised both concern and curiosity.

The story took a dramatic twist when visitors reported that the monkeys in the zoo's monkey mountain were seen pulling the tails of cats and throwing them around, with the cats apparently screaming in distress. Even more shockingly, there were claims of the monkeys engaging in what appeared to be mating behaviour with the cats, sparking a widespread debate over the possibility of animal abuse.

In response to the growing public outcry, the Kunming Zoo released a statement on January 26, shedding light on the unique situation. The cohabitation of monkeys and cats in monkey mountain began in 2013, a solution born out of necessity to control a rampant rodent problem. With a population of 300 to 500 mice causing havoc, traditional pest control methods proved ineffective.

In a pioneering move, the zoo consulted both the public and experts and introduced cats to the area as a form of biological pest control.

The initial introduction of two cats, followed by an additional six, led to a significant decrease in the mouse population over a year, and even resulted in the birth of four kittens. With the rodent issue under control, the zoo decided to keep two cats in monkey mountain, leading to the current situation of 12 cats living among the monkeys.

Over the past decade, the monkeys and cats have reportedly coexisted peacefully, with the cats in good health.

Amid growing concerns, the zoo invited animal experts to conduct an on-site evaluation. Observations confirmed the cats' good health and a significant reduction in the presence of mice.

To address public concern, the zoo has planned to relocate the cats from monkey mountain and conduct comprehensive health checks to ensure their well-being before finding them appropriate homes. The zoo will also keep the public informed about the cats' condition.

Kunming Zoo, committed to animal relocation protection and educational exhibits, expressed gratitude for the public's concern and support for their animal conservation efforts.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

近日，云南省昆明动物园因猴子与猫共栖一事引发关注。据游客描述，猴山的猴子会“拉着猫尾巴到处丢了玩，猫都在惨叫”，还有人称猴子与猫发生疑似交配行为，不少人认为猴子存在虐待猫的行为。

1月26日，昆明动物园发布猴山猴群与猫共栖情况通报，
通报如下：
昆明动物园猴山猴群与猫共栖现象源起于2013年，因猴山食物充足和存在适宜啮齿类动物生存的洞穴而导致老鼠滋生，鼠患数量一度达到300-500只。经多次组织人工灭鼠后，均无法取得预期效果，在确保猴群安全的前提下，昆明动物园征询了市民和专家的意见，采用生物防治的方法，先后两次分别放入2只和6只猫，经过一年时间，基本消除了鼠患，同时繁殖了4只小猫，数量达到12只。为了保障鼠患的持续治理和效果，在猴山留下2只，也就是现在网友关注的2只猫。10余年来，猴群与猫相处融洽，猫身体状况良好。
近日，昆明动物园邀请动物学专家现场研判，观察到猫身体健康，且猴山已基本无鼠迹。为回应社会各界爱心人士关切，计划近期将猫移出猴山，随后将对猫开展全面体检，确保猫身体机能健康的情况下妥善安置和饲养，并及时向社会公布猫的相关情况。
昆明动物园致力于动物移地保护和科普展出，也将一如既往的做好动物饲养管理与履行好动物保护的职能职责。感谢社会各界对昆明动物园动物保护工作的关心和支持！