Bonobo Cracks Zoo Exhibit Glass While Lunging at Visitors

The incident at the Memphis Zoo resulted in a "prolonged closure" of the bonobo exhibit.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A bonobo at the Memphis Zoo cracked the safety glass of its enclosure on February 26 after lunging at visitors. The zoo confirmed the exhibit will be closed for repairs, but the animal was unharmed and did not escape.

Why it matters

Incidents of animals damaging zoo property or acting aggressively towards visitors can raise concerns about animal welfare and public safety. This event highlights the need for zoos to balance providing engaging exhibits with ensuring the wellbeing of both animals and guests.

The details

Video footage shows a group of three bonobos near the glass when one grabs a ball of hay and lunges into the safety glass, causing a large crack. The zoo said the additional layers of reinforced glass remained intact and there was no breach of the habitat. The bonobo exhibit will be closed for repairs, and the bonobos will not have full access to their habitat during this time.

  • The incident occurred on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Memphis Zoo

The zoo where the bonobo incident took place.

Bonobos

The primate species that is classified as endangered and was involved in the incident at the Memphis Zoo.

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What’s next

The zoo will need to repair the cracked safety glass before reopening the bonobo exhibit to the public.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the delicate balance zoos must strike between providing engaging animal exhibits and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both the animals and visitors. It highlights the need for continued vigilance and responsible conduct when interacting with zoo animals.