Chimpanzee at Kansas City Zoo dies, possibly of heart condition

Just days after the chimpanzee population at the Kansas City Zoo added a newborn, a 41-year-old female in the troop has died unexpectedly, zoo officials announced Wednesday.

Officials said preliminary findings indicate Rachel died of a heart condition. A more thorough analysis will be conducted.

Rachel gave birth just over one year ago to a male that the zoo named Milo. She also was the mother of two females, named Teeoni and Teetoo.

The zoo’s announcement said Rachel “will be remembered as being very impatient and jumping in at treat time to capture food for her and Milo. She had amazing maternal instincts, knew some sign language and was a leader in the troop.”

Rachel came to the Kansas City Zoo in 2003 from the Sunset Zoo in Manhattan, Kan.

Teeoni gave birth to a female chimp late Friday afternoon but she became inattentive of the baby early Saturday. The zoo staff had to collect the infant. She receives bottle feedings every two hours and humans must take shifts carrying the chimp as it clings constantly to a furry vest.

With Rachel gone another female, Dafina, has taken on the role of caregiver for Milo. Dafina, too, was bottle-fed by humans after her mother rejected her at birth 17 years ago.

The Kansas City Zoo now has 13 chimpanzees. They are on exhibit when the temperature is above 45 degrees.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Chimpanzee at Kansas City Zoo dies, possibly of heart condition."