Sedgwick County Zoo investigated, determined baby chimp Kucheza died from head trauma

The Sedgwick County Zoo announced the cause of death of their 5-week-old chimp, Kucheza, who was found dead last week by zoo keepers, the zoo said in a Facebook post.

The baby chimp had garnered internet fame after a video of his mother, Mahale, being reunited with him after an emergency c-section went viral in November.

“After a careful and thorough investigation, Kucheza’s necropsy revealed that the cause of death was head trauma,” according the zoo.

Kucheza was found dead while being cradled in his mother’s arms Thursday, the zoo previously said.

The zoo added that it is unknown how Kucheza may have injured himself.

“Based on the family social dynamics and what we know of each individual chimp, we believe that whatever happened that night was an accident,” the post said.

Zoo officials say Kucheza’s death had no signs of infanticide, which is the intentional killing of infants and is known to happen in wild chimpanzee populations, the social media post read.

“The [chimp] family had been together without incident for two weeks, and his [Kucheza’s] injuries were not characteristic of injuries associated with infanticide,” the post added.

Zoo staff have been using “extra enrichment” to keep the family distracted and provide comfort as they heal and process, according to previous Eagle reporting.

The Sedgwick County Zoo said the community can donate online to Chimp SAFE, in honor of Kucheza. Chimp SAFE is a conservation organization dedicated to saving chimpanzees from extinction, the zoo’s website said.