A Jackson zookeeper was injured after being attacked by a monkey on Saturday.
According to an official with the city, the incident occurred inside the monkey enclosure while the zookeeper was tending to the primate.
The keeper’s injuries are not life-threatening. City leadership is currently awaiting a report to be filed by the zookeeper detailing the incident to give further insight as to what happened over the weekend.
The incident comes after Jackson City Council President Aaron Banks floated the idea of possibly closing the zoo citing its $1.8 million budget and only $55,000 in revenue from the park. Banks’ suggestion was met with resistance from others on the council and members of the community.
In late July, an Asiatic black bear momentarily escaped through an unsecured door while caretakers cleaned the animal’s enclosure. Fortunately, the bear never left the parameters of its living quarters.
