Newborn baboon is killed by its father within minutes of birth at SC zoo; 50 witnessed attack

Newborn baboon is killed by its father at SC zoo

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Officials at a South Carolina zoo say a newborn baboon died after being attacked by its father in front of nearly 50 people who had gathered after the baby’s birth just minutes earlier.

Riverbanks Zoo officials said Monday’s birth and attack happened while the animals were in their exhibit and within public view.

Zoo staff knew about the impending birth and were observing when the male picked up the infant and threw it. Mammal curator John Davis says about 50 people had gathered after the birth and saw the attack.

The infant was immediately removed from the exhibit and died at the veterinary hospital.

Davis says male baboons in the wild sometimes kill the infant offspring of rivals, but the zoo has one male.