CINCINNATI (WXIX/Gray News ) – A Cincinnati Zoo employee was hospitalized Friday morning after an animal bit the staff member’s thumb.

According to zoo officials, a member of the primate care team was conducting morning rounds when they were bitten on the thumb by a bonobo through the protective mesh barrier.

The zoo team said the worker was administering medicine and food to the bonobo troop when the incident happened before the area was open for the day.

Zoo officials said the employee suffered a partial thumb amputation and received medical treatment.

No other staff members or bonobos were involved or injured.

The zoo said it is currently looking into what led to the bite.

The Jungle Trails area was closed to the public for the day.

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