Adult chimp kills baby chimp at LA Zoo

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LOS ANGELES, June 27 (UPI) -- Visitors watched as an adult male chimpanzee attacked and killed a baby chimpanzee at the Los Angeles Zoo, officials said.

Zoo officials said in a statement the baby chimp was killed Tuesday while in a habitat with other chimps, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The zoo officials said the baby chimp had been introduced gradually to other chimps in the habitat and there had been no sign of problems.

"Chimpanzee behavior can sometimes be aggressive and violent, and the zoo is sorry that visitors had to be exposed to this," the statement said. "This is a heartbreaking and tragic loss for the zoo and especially the Great Ape Team, who have worked diligently to care for the infant and its mother since its birth."

The zoo said the mother, named Gracie, was allowed to keep the baby overnight so she could have time to grieve.