CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Chattanooga Zoo is mourning the loss of Artemus, a beloved male chimpanzee, who died last week during a routine medical check-up.
According to a post from the zoo on Facebook, Artemus stopped breathing while under anesthesia, and no heart rate was detected.
Despite immediate CPR efforts by the veterinary team, Artemus could not be revived.
The zoo says initial findings from a gross necropsy indicated that the right side of Artemus’ heart was enlarged and dilated, conditions not observed in previous check-ups.
It is possible that this apparent heart abnormality, in addition to other conditions noted in the initial necropsy, caused the outcome from last week’s check-up, but we cannot say with certainty at this time,’ the zoo said…