Abu Dhabi: Tequila, the young chimpanzee of Abu Dhabi, died in Al Ain Zoo on August 6.
A wild snake at the zoo is believed to have killed her.
According to a summary of a report on the death obtained by Gulf News, the zoo curator was informed at 10.30am on August 6 that the chimp had slipped into a coma.
She was immediately referred to the zoo hospital, where her temperature was brought down and she regained consciousness. But at 3pm she relapsed and failed to recover.
Tequila passed away at 7pm the same day, said the summary of the report.
According to laboratory tests there were no signs of any contagious bacteria, but there was biological toxemia "which may indicate snake bite as a possible cause of death".
The chimp, who once starred in an Animal Planet documentary, was found living in squalid conditions at a high-profile club. She was rescued on April 26 and shifted to Al Ain Zoo, where she was quarantined before being allowed to join six other chimpanzees.
Officials confirmed the death and its cause on Tuesday.
Dr Mohammad Sa'ad, Acting Director, said Tequila was bitten by a wild snake, not one of the zoo's other inmates. The zoo has problem with snakes, as it is a huge open area.
"We have from one to two animals, mainly dogs, dying of snakebite every year," he said.
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