Last week, the president and CEO of the Indianapolis Zoo, Dr. Rob Shumaker, experienced a close call with one of the animals in his care. While engaged in the seemingly routine task of feeding a chimpanzee through a mesh barrier, the primate bit the tip of Dr. Shumaker's finger, as WTHR first reported. The zoo's head required medical attention but has since recovered from the injury.
It is notable that the incident took place within the zoo's newly minted Penny & Jock Fortune International Chimpanzee Complex, which has been described as one of the largest chimpanzee habitats in the nation. Featuring expansive indoor and outdoor quarters, as well as a portion of a quarter mile of overhead trail, the complex had opened its doors in May of the previous year. The design aimed to provide a stimulating environment for the chimpanzees, according to FOX59.
Following the feeding incident, the zoo made sure to report the occurrence to all pertinent authorities, including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, its own staff, and the establishment's board chair. Shumaker, whose expertise as an evolutionary biologist has led him to work closely with great apes during his 15-year tenure at the Indianapolis Zoo, has held his presidential role since 2018 and took on the additional CEO duties in 2020. Serving these roles, his interaction with the animals is informed by a deep understanding of their behavior and needs, further expounded on his LinkedIn profile which was cited by WISHTV.
