Cincinnati Zoo in mourning after 3-year-old bonobo dies following RSV outbreak

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden announced the death of Amali, a 3-year-old baby bonobo.

The zoo announced Amali’s death on its website Monday.

“This loss comes after a week of supportive care, due to an outbreak of respiratory syntactic virus (RSV) within the bonobo troop,” we can read on the zoo’s website.

RSV is common in human babies and cases have increased over the past two years; Most children survive the virus, but it remains dangerous, especially for younger babies.

According to the Cincinnati Zoo, baby bonobos are also incredibly susceptible to RSV and secondary infections that can occur alongside the virus.

The troop of bonobos were able to say a final goodbye to Amali to begin the grieving process after her unexpected death, the zoo said.

“The whole bonobo troop adored her; from our large adult males to her half-brother Bo, everyone was a playmate but made sure to be gentle and tender with her,” said one of the bonobo keepers. Amali. “Bonobos are incredibly intelligent and their social group is very close-knit.”

The zoo did not say how many bonobos may have been affected by the RSV outbreak, nor how many may have become ill from the virus. They said the troop was showing signs of recovery and staff remained hopeful the infection had mostly run its course.