The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is grieving the loss of two beloved bonobos, Jumanji and Jenga, who died after contracting Shigella, a highly contagious bacterial infection.
Their deaths, announced on Monday, come just four days after the zoo reported the passing of Bulera, a 35-year-old female western lowland gorilla , who also succumbed to the same infection.
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Jumanji, born in 1996 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, moved to the Jacksonville Zoo in 2008 with his parents and sister. The zoo described him as “a sweet and gentle soul, a laid-back kind of guy who was friendly to all other bonobos.” His younger brother, Jenga, was born at the Jacksonville Zoo in 2011 and was known for his playful nature and ability to bring smiles to people’s faces. “Jenga was a goofball that loved to play with others and cause a little mischief,” the zoo shared.
The Jacksonville Zoo reported that male bonobos typically stay with their mothers for life, relying on them for protection and social status. After the death of their mother in 2018, Jumanji took on the role of supporting Jenga through the transition. Both brothers had pre-existing heart conditions, which made them more vulnerable to the effects of Shigella.