Chimpanzee dies in fall from tree at Kansas City Zoo
The Kansas City Zoo issued a sad statement Wednesday after a chimpanzee living at the zoo passed away while interacting with other monkeys.
Posted — UpdatedAbout 9 a.m., the troupe of 12 chimpanzees engaged in a skirmish, an interaction that is often a part of chimpanzee society and is a means of maintaining the hierarchical structure within that society, the zoo says.
During the skirmish, a male chimpanzee named Bahati, climbed a tree and then fell to the ground after grabbing onto a dead branch.
The monkey's caretakers were on hand and responded quickly, as did the zoo's Animal Health team.
Bahati died from injuries sustained in the fall. The zoo says they plan to conduct a necropsy.
The zoo says the incident happened in the zoo's chimpanzee habitat, a 3-acre setting that includes many natural trees.
"Part of providing one of the most natural chimpanzee habitats in the country is continually monitoring the trees, which is done continually by Zoo staff," the zoo said. "In addition, the habitat's trees are professionally trimmed annually.
Bahati was born at the Sedgwick County Zoo, in Wichita on May 28, 1986.
He became part of the Kansas City Zoo family in February when he was transferred from Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo on the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and its Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan.
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