Monkey at zoo needs surgery after visitor breaks exhibit rules, South Dakota zoo says

A South Dakota zoo is warning people to keep their litter out of the animal exhibits, after a bottle cap led to surgery for a Japanese macaque.

The snow monkey, named Kai, found a white squeeze bottle cap, apparently thrown into its habitat by a visitor, the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls said in an Oct. 17 social media post. Kai put the cap in his cheek pouch and, over time, it wore through the flesh and became embedded.

“It is never okay to throw objects in an animal’s enclosure,” the post said, adding that visitors should notify staff immediately if they spot trash in a habitat, or any other objects that seem like they don’t belong. Kai’s painful situation is a testament to why.

Surgery was the only way to remove the bottle cap, the zoo said, sharing photos of the operation. (Warning: photos show blood)

The veterinary team was successful and Kai is recovering, but he will live with some permanent damage.

“Despite the careful, meticulous work of our veterinary team, he will bear the scars of this experience,” the zoo said.

Kai’s story stirred anger, with some commenters calling for the visitor responsible to be banned from the zoo, or forced to cover the cost of the surgery.

Still, most were glad to hear that the macaque is OK and on the mend.

“The wellbeing and care of our animals is our number one job,” the zoo said. “Thank you to everyone who helps us support their health and safety.”

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