A 10-month-old spider monkey named Sully has had his arm amputated following an accident at the Brevard Zoo in Florida. The incident occurred when Sully became entangled in the mesh fencing of his enclosure. Zoo staff intervened, cutting the mesh to free him, but the injury was severe. FOX 13 News reported that after X-rays revealed the arm was broken at the elbow, the zoo's veterinary team made the decision to amputate, considering there was only a "slim chance" of normal function if the limb remained.

Sully's case highlights a rare but impactful event within the confines of the zoological habitat, one that the Brevard Zoo described as a "chance accident." Despite the necessary intervention to remove the limb, the Brevard Zoo's Dr. Trevor Zachariah expressed optimism about the primate's resilience, saying "Due to his age, healing and adjustment to the absence of the limb are expected to be rapid." This quote, detailed by WTSP, suggests an expectation of Sully's ability to adapt to life in the habitat post-surgery.

The zoo has emphasized their commitment to ensure Sully's well-being. In a statement shared by FOX 13 News, they articulated a dedication to creating a safe environment and a focus on aiding his recovery. "We pride ourselves on being a safe place for our animal residents to spend their lives in, and we hate that this chance accident has led to such a severe injury," the zoo wrote.

As Sully continues his recovery beside his mother, Tika, the Brevard Zoo maintains positive projections for his return to normalcy. According to insights shared by ABC Action News, "Primates with a missing arm are still able to thrive. This is especially true for spider monkeys, since they have prehensile tails." This inherent trait could greatly enable Sully to compensate and maneuver effectively despite his new physical condition.