Cincinnati Zoo employee suffers ‘partial’ amputation of primate’s thumb

CINCINNATI (WXIX) – A Cincinnati Zoo employee was hospitalized Friday morning after an animal bit an employee’s thumb, zoo officials confirmed.

The incident occurred at the Jungle Trails habitat hours before the zoo opened to guests.

According to the press release, a member of the primate care team was conducting morning rounds when a bonobo bit the employee’s thumb through a “protective mesh barrier.”

The report said a member of the care team was handing out medicine and food to the bonobo troop when it happened.

Zoo officials say the employee suffered a “partial amputation” and is receiving medical attention. They are currently listed as stable.

No other employees or bonobos were harmed or harmed.

The zoo is currently investigating what led to the incident.

The jungle trails will be closed to the public on Friday.

correction: The Cincinnati Zoo initially said the employee suffered a “total amputation.” They described the employee’s injuries as a “partial amputation.”

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report this.

Do you have photos or videos of the latest news? Send this is for us here with a brief description.