Mourning in the zoo: baby chimpanzee euthanized after difficult birth!

Mourning in the zoo: baby chimpanzee euthanized after difficult birth!

A deeply sad incident occurred at the Zoo by the Sea in Bremerhaven. A baby chimpanzee born just days ago had to be euthanized after suffering from a series of serious health problems. The female cub was born on September 4th, but the joy of the birth was overshadowed by worries.

The chimpanzee, Lizzy, who gave birth to the baby, suffered a circulatory collapse shortly after birth. To make matters worse, she showed no interest in her newborn, which made the situation at the zoo even more difficult. The father, Dumas, took over carrying the young animal while Lizzy repeatedly pushed the baby away. On September 5, zoo officials decided to euthanize the cub. They saw no possibility of hand-rearing, as this could lead to incorrect imprinting and no other chimpanzee could take over the care. As RTL reports, this decision was made in consideration of the animal's well-being and to avoid unnecessary suffering.

Serious health problems

An autopsy of the cub revealed that it was seriously ill. Significant blood loss was noted, which was due to heavy bleeding during childbirth. According to T-Online, the baby probably succumbed to hypovolemic shock because the heart was unable to pump enough blood. There was also evidence of a blood infection and amniotic fluid aspiration, which further aggravated the situation.

The zoo team emphasized that the young animal's chances of survival were very poor anyway. The baby had neither fed from the mother nor was able to accept a bottle, which may also be due to the infections present. In addition, the autopsy revealed an enlarged spleen, indicating an active immune system. The pup's navel was identified as the entry point for the infection.

The mourning in the zoo

The loss of the baby chimpanzee hits the employees of the seaside zoo hard. They now not only face the challenge of supporting mother Lizzy, who has to recover from the emotional and physical strain, but also of strengthening the group's cohesion. The zoo management showed understanding for the visitors' grief and emphasized that the focus is not only on the animals' survival, but also on their quality of life.

The entire team is committed to supporting Lizzy through this difficult time, as the welfare of the animals is her top priority. As experts note, although empathy can be recognized in chimpanzees, avoiding suffering is a human cultural trait. This situation shows once again how fragile life in the animal world can be and how important responsible decisions are in such moments.