A Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden employee was injured Friday after being bitten by a bonobo, officials said.
A member of the zoo’s primate care team was performing their morning rounds and administering medicine and food to the bonobo troop when the animal bit the employee’s thumb through a protective mesh barrier, the zoo said in a news release.
The employee’s thumb was partially amputated, officials said, adding they have received medical treatment and are in stable condition.
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The incident happened behind the scenes of the Jungle Trails habitat and no other staff, guests or animals were injured, the zoo said.
“The Cincinnati Zoo prioritizes the safety of its employees and animals. Bonobos are highly intelligent and social primates, and interactions with them involve established protocols and safety procedures,” the release states. “At no time were the bonobos outside their habitat and per zoo policy, animal care staff and great apes do not occupy shared spaces.”
Officials said the zoo is reviewing the incident to understand more about what led up to it and the Jungle Trials habitat will be closed to the public Friday.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Zoo worker suffers thumb amputation from bonobo bite
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