Chimpanzee injured in fatal troop fight at Edinburgh Zoo returns to enclosure

A chimpanzee who was badly injured after a fight broke out within his troop at Edinburgh Zoo has been reintroduced to the enclosure.

Qafzeh sustained an injury to his testicles and required an operation following the fight which fatally injured 31-year-old chimpanzee Rene.

Announcing the news of Rene’s death, the zoo said that chimpanzee group dynamics were “incredibly complex” and fighting within the group is a normal behaviour which also happens in the wild.

Rene, a chimpanzee at Edinburgh Zoo, died after the fight. Edinburgh Zoo

Darren McGarry, head of living collections at Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said: “It was important to introduce Qafzeh back into the group as soon as he was well in order to maintain bonds.

“He sustained an injury to his testicles and after an operation and further assessment and monitoring by our vet team and keepers was well enough to be re-introduced. He is recovering well.”

Edinburgh Zoo said its staff did everything they could to separate the animals during the incident but that Rene’s injuries were too severe.

“We’re sad to share the news that Rene, one of our chimpanzees, sadly passed away last week after an altercation within the troop,” the zoo said.

“Chimp group dynamics are incredibly complex and Rene, who was 31 years old, was part of a fight which broke out within the troop.

“This type of behaviour occurs in the wild, especially around breeding time when females are in season and when males are challenging for dominance of the group.

“Rene was a huge personality and will be missed by those who cared for him.”