Visitors to the Zhuzikeng (bamboo pit) Scenic Zone on Sanbai Mountain in Anyuan county, east China's Jiangxi province, will find more fun with the recent appearance ofover 200 rhesus monkeys in the area.

Zoologists said this was the first time that such a big number of rhesus monkeys had been found in this place.

Local people confirmed that rhesus monkeys were first found roaming near the scenic area around the Spring Festival, a traditional time of family gathering, which fell on Jan. 22.

Some visitors took pictures of the rhesus monkeys, hoping the rare animals will bring them good luck in the new year, the Year of Monkey, which ranks ninth in the 12-year rotation of the Chinese birth sign system.

Zoologists said rhesus monkeys are famous for eating kiwi fruitand live in mountainous areas covered with broadleaf and coniferous forest.

A survey carried out in 2000 showed that China had about 5,000 rhesus monkeys, which mainly live in the Emei Mountain area in southwest China's Sichuan province.

While visitors have fun with the monkeys, local animal protectors have intensified their efforts to protect the animals. They patrol the mountain area and provide food to the rare "guests" to the Zhuzikeng Scenic Zone.

Sanbai Mountain is a famous scenic zone of China and one of thesources of the Dongjiang River, which provides drinking water for Hong Kong residents. Forest coverage rate there stands at 98 percent.