A baby chimpanzee died at Welsh Mountain Zoo, according to a zoo statement. The mother chimpanzee Mellony is carrying her deceased infant in natural grieving behavior. Welsh Mountain Zoo issued a statement about the death of the baby chimpanzee.
The zoo apologized to visitors for any upset caused by the situation. Welsh Mountain Zoo is the oldest zoo in Wales, established in 1963. It was officially recognized as the National Zoo of Wales in 2008.
Our priority is the wellbeing of our chimpanzee family. We want to give the mother, Mellony and her family the time to grieve naturally and for this reason it may take some time before the baby is safely retrieved.
The zoo houses species including endangered snow leopards, red pandas, gibbons, and California sea lions. Zoo staff are closely observing Mellony and the wider chimpanzee troop. The zoo is allowing Mellony time to mourn naturally before retrieving the infant.
Clear warning signs have been erected at the entrances to the chimpanzee viewing areas. Personnel are available to address visitor queries about the situation. Numerous visitors have raised questions about why the chimpanzee enclosure hasn't been closed.
Our experienced keepers, work closely with the chimpanzee troop every day, are carefully monitoring the situation.
The zoo clarified that maintaining public access helps preserve normality for the entire chimpanzee troop. The zoo's priority is the wellbeing of the chimpanzee family, according to a zoo spokesperson. The zoo wants to give Mellony and her family time to grieve naturally, so it may take some time before the baby is safely retrieved, the spokesperson said.
The zoo's experienced keepers, who work closely with the chimpanzee troop daily, are carefully monitoring the situation, the spokesperson added. The zoo kept the area open because it's important to maintain as much normality as possible for the whole troop, zoo officials stated. Closing the area would change the chimpanzees' routine and environment suddenly, which is more likely to cause distress than keeping things consistent, zoo officials explained.
We've kept the area open because it's important to maintain as much normality as possible for the whole troop. Closing the area would change their routine and environment quite suddenly, which is more likely to cause distress than keeping things consistent.
The chimpanzees are used to people being around their enclosure and watching them, and sometimes interact with visitors, zoo officials noted. Removing the familiar part of their environment and routine at this time could reduce stimulation and choice, which could negatively affect their welfare, zoo officials said. The chimpanzee family's wellbeing continues to be the zoo's top concern, zoo officials emphasized.
The zoo apologizes for any upset this may cause and thanks visitors for their understanding during this sensitive time, zoo officials stated.
The chimps are used to people being around their enclosure and watching them, just as they often watch visitors in return and sometimes interact. Removing that familiar part of their environment and routine at this time could reduce stimulation and choice, which could negatively affect their welfare.
We apologise for any upset this may cause and thank you for your understanding during this sensitive time.