Riot of the Apes: Alpha chimpanzee is drowned in front of horrified German zoo visitors after his son took over the troop and used it to attack his father
- Robert, 47, was the former leader of the chimps before his son took over
- An aggressive altercation broke out in the enclosure, which led to Robert’s death
- Zoo boss Jörg Junhold said members of the squad had pushed Robert to the edge of the ditch
- He then went over the security perimeter into the water and drowned
An alpha chimpanzee was drowned in front of horrified German zoo visitors after his son took over the troop and used it to attack his father.
Robert, 47, was the former leader of the chimpanzees in Pongoland at Leipzig Zoo, who prevailed against the younger great apes.
But by the time he got a little older, his son Frodo, 29, had taken the lead.
Unfortunately, according to the picture in the enclosure, there was an aggressive argument between Robert and the other chimpanzees, which led to his death.
Zoo boss Dr. Jörg Junhold said today that group members pushed Robert to the edge of a ditch in the outdoor enclosure.
Shocked staff and visitors then watched as Robert entered the water via the safety perimeter.
He drowned immediately as chimpanzees cannot swim. And soon after, his body was pulled out of the water by associates.
Robert, 47, was the former leader of the chimpanzees in Pongoland at Leipzig Zoo, who prevailed against the younger great apes. He was pushed to the edge of a ditch in the outdoor enclosure, then crossed the security perimeter and drowned. Pictured: Pongoland
dr Junhold said: “We are deeply shocked by this incident and have initially needed the last few days to process what has happened.
“The pathological findings now available have confirmed that Robert drowned and that there were no other or internal injuries.”
Zoo spokeswoman Melanie Ginzel adds: “Disputes in chimpanzee groups are just as much a part of the zoo as they are in the wild.
“Here in Leipzig, however, nothing like this has ever happened with this intensity. You don’t interfere with the group. The animals determine the ranking among themselves.”
The zoo has said that Robert’s death shocked them. Pictured: Chimpanzees in Pongoland
