The #1 source for news about monkeys and apes

[Carrie McLaren <carrie AT stayfreemagazine.org>]

THE KANSAS CITY STAR
October 28, 2001, Sunday METROPOLITAN EDITION

HEADLINE: Wounded chimp back on display;
Ape was battered by others in troop

BYLINE: MATT CAMPBELL; The Kansas City Star

BODY:
A chimpanzee at the Kansas City Zoo who was almost killed in a
fight with other apes in July has healed and is back on public
display.

Julian, a male who was brought in to impose order within the
fractious chimpanzee troop but who ended up a victim instead, was
deemed strong enough to return to the 3-acre outdoor exhibit last
week.

He can be seen on Mondays initially and possibly other days as
well, said DiAnn Roberts, animal area supervisor. Julian is paired
with a female named Lucy, with whom he got along reasonably well
before the fight. "From what I can tell, he is fully healed and he 
looks pretty darned good," said Kirk Suedmeyer, chief staff 
veterinarian at the
zoo. "He has gained weight back. There will be minimal
scarring."

Julian received numerous lacerations and a puncture wound down to
the skull during the fight, which occurred in the outdoor exhibit on
July 3. Four other chimps - an adolescent male and three females -
ganged up on him for unknown reasons. Julian lost most of his right
ear and all or parts of several toes and fingers.

The injuries were considered life-threatening, but the vet staff
was able to nurse the animal back to health.