Loud laughter turned into a scream in a video that showed a primate launch itself at a glass enclosure at the Memphis Zoo last week, leaving large cracks in the pane. Action 5 News shared the footage.
“We can confirm that earlier today an incident occurred at the bonobo habitat that resulted in damage to an interior pane of the exhibit glass,” said the zoo in a Feb. 26 Facebook post.
It explained that the habitat is “constructed with multiple layers of reinforced safety glass that meet rigorous safety standards,” and that the was no breach of the habitat, where four bonobos live. Neither the bonobo nor any guests were injured, the zoo added.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the area has been temporarily closed while the custom interior pane is replaced,” said the Memphis Zoo’s Facebook post.
According to the Memphis Zoo, bonobos look similar to chimpanzees and are sometimes called Pygmy Chimpanzees, though they are not related to chimps. Compared to the common chimpanzee, they are shorter and they have narrower chests and hips.
“Their long, fine hair is mostly black, with some white at the muzzle,” said the zoo. “Bonobos are noted for their strong social ties to each other relying on cooperation, rather than conflict to form an orderly society.”
Though the bonobo habitat was not breached, the custom interior pane needs to be replaced. This pane must be specially fabricated, and the zoo said repairs could take an extended period of time to complete, limiting the bonobos’ access to portions of their outdoor habitat.
“Disruptive behavior at exhibits does not just damage property,” said the zoo. “It has meaningful consequences for the animals’ daily routines and wellbeing, which is why respectful conduct is essential.”
It added that families and guests of all ages are welcome to the zoo. However, the zoo also asked visitors to be respectful when visiting exhibits.
“That means not striking the glass, shouting at animals, taunting them, or crowding exhibit barriers. These actions can cause stress for the animals and disrupt their wellbeing,” it said. “Respect for the animals and their care is central to our mission. The safety and wellbeing of our animals, guests, and staff remain our highest priorities.”
The Tennessee zoo isn’t the only one that has had glass cracked by a primate. Audacy reported last October that a gorilla at the highly-regarded San Diego Zoo smashed through one layer of three-layered tempered glass.
