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Cincinnati Zoo employee suffers ‘partial’ thumb amputation by primate
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Cincinnati Zoo employee suffers ‘partial’ thumb amputation by primate

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

The incident occurred in the Jungle Trail habitat a few hours before the zoo opened to guests.

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

The release says the care team member was administering medicine and food to the bonobo troop when it happened.

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

No other employees or bonobos were involved or injured.

The zoo is currently reviewing what led up to the incident.

Jungle Trails will be closed to the public on Friday.

correction: Initially, the Cincinnati Zoo reported that the employee suffered a “complete amputation.” They updated the employee’s injuries to a “partial amputation.”

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