Zookeeper hospitalized after being 'nipped' by orangutan, Tampa zoo says

The primate nipped the tip of the staff member's middle finger.

April 10, 2019, 2:20 PM

A zookeeper at a Florida zoo has been hospitalized after he was "nipped" by an orangutan Wednesday morning.

The worker, a member of ZooTampa's animal care staff, was giving the female orangutan its daily medication and vitamins when the primate "nipped the tip of the keeper's middle finger," according to a statement released by the zoo.

PHOTO: Orangutans play at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.
Orangutans play at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.
Ron Williams/AP, FILE

The incident occurred in the night house shortly before 9 a.m., before the zoo was opened to visitors. The zoo described the orangutan, who was not injured, as "not aggressive."

The keeper was taken to the hospital for treatment.

PHOTO: Orangutans play at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.
Orangutans play at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.
Ron Williams/AP, FILE

"The staff member appears to be doing well and recovering from his wound," the statement read.

Additional details were not immediately available.

ABC News' Rachel Katz contributed to this report.

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