The Associated Press
Thursday, December 28, 2006; 11:12 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A severe respiratory infection has sickened a group of bonobos at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, killing one of them, officials said Thursday.

The bonobos, a type of chimpanzee, began showing signs of infection _ coughing and nasal discharge _ two weeks ago. A necropsy on a 15-year-old male who died Sunday revealed severe pneumonia in his lungs, said Gerald Borin, the zoo's executive director.

Twelve remaining bonobos are being treated with antibiotics and appear to be getting better, he said.

It's unclear how the animals became infected. Zoo officials are expecting lab results in a few days that could help identify the cause.

The bonobos are kept in a glass-enclosed display during the winter and only have contact with zoo staff, who wear respiratory masks and follow a strict hand-washing protocol during flu season, Borin said.

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On the Net:

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: http://www.colszoo.org/