Ape cracks exhibit’s glass as it launches at Memphis Zoo visitors
A bonobo at the Memphis Zoo in 2023. The zoo urged visitors to always behave — for the animals' sake.Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal / USA Today Network via Imagn
The Memphis Zoo has temporarily closed its bonobo exhibit after a primate struck the safety glass while leaping toward visitors.
NBC News verified video shows a bonobo lunging at the barrier as onlookers laugh and giggle.
In a statement, the zoo said the incident occurred Thursday and suggested the animal may have been provoked by visitors. “Disruptive behavior at exhibits does not just damage property,” the zoo said. “It has meaningful consequences for the animals’ daily routines and wellbeing, which is why respectful conduct is essential.”
The zoo confirmed that the reinforced glass was not breached, but the damage requires a replacement of the “specially fabricated” panel, which will keep the exhibit closed for an extended period.
No guests were injured, and the bonobo was unharmed. “The habitat is constructed with multiple layers of reinforced safety glass that meet rigorous safety standards,” the zoo said. “The additional layers remained fully intact, and there was no breach of the habitat.”
While repairs are underway, the bonobos will have limited access to parts of their outdoor habitat, affecting their ability to fully roam.
The zoo urged visitors to behave responsibly for the animals’ welfare. “We welcome families and guests of all ages, and we ask everyone to be respectful when visiting exhibits,” it said. “That means not striking the glass, shouting at animals, taunting them, or crowding exhibit barriers.”
Bonobos, roughly the size of chimpanzees and occasionally able to walk on two feet, are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Some of their habitat in the Democratic Republic of Congo is protected, though enforcement remains uncertain, according to the Wisconsin National Primate Resource Center.
About Post Author
