A Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden worker had their thumb partially amputated after being attacked by a bonobo during morning feeding. The incident occurred behind the scenes in the Jungle Trails habitat, where the worker was providing food and medicine to the bonobos. The zoo stressed that no other staff, guests, or animals were involved or injured in the incident. The bonobo bit through a protective mesh barrier, leading to the injury. The employee has been stabilized at a hospital and is receiving treatment.
The Jungle Trails habitat was closed for the day following the incident, but was scheduled to reopen the next day. The zoo is currently reviewing the details of the incident to understand what led to the attack. The specific bonobo involved in the incident was not identified by the zoo. Gilda, an 18-year-old bonobo, had recently given birth to a baby boy at the institution. Bonobos are endangered species, with their population declining due to factors such as development, civil unrest, and mining in their native Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Bonobos are close relatives of chimpanzees and are known for their peaceful, intelligent, and empathetic behavior. They are often organized around female leadership and researchers believe they can provide valuable insights into human behavior. Bonobos share 98.7% of their DNA with humans, making them our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources lists bonobos as endangered, with estimates suggesting that there may be as few as 15,000 remaining in the wild.
The incident at the Cincinnati Zoo highlights the challenges of working closely with wild animals, even in managed habitats. Despite efforts to protect both the animals and the staff, accidents can still occur. The zoo emphasized that safety protocols were in place and that the incident did not involve any breach in the barriers protecting the workers. The bonobo involved in the incident had recently become a mother, adding to the complexity of the situation.
As the zoo continues to investigate the incident, they will likely focus on improving safety measures to prevent similar accidents in the future. Bonobos provide researchers with valuable insights into primate behavior and the potential connections between human and animal behavior. By studying bonobos, researchers hope to gain a better understanding of our own species and the complexities of social relationships and group dynamics. Despite the risks involved in working closely with wild animals, the potential benefits of learning from them are significant.
