CINCINNATI — The bonobo troop at Cincinnati Zoo and Aquarium is missing one of its members after 3-year-old Amali died after a week of supportive care because of a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) outbreak within the troop.

"People say the best things come in small packages, and after working with Amali I’m here to tell you… they’re right. Amali was small but mighty," one of her keeps said in a news release. "She had a huge personality. 'Lil Bit,' a nickname her keepers lovingly called her, was always eager to interact with keepers."

RSV infects the lungs and respiratory tract and is so common most human children have been infected by the time they are 2. Symptoms are milder in adults who contract it. Bonobos are especially susceptible to RSV and secondary infections that occur alongside it. 

"The entire bonobo troop adored her; from our large adult males to her half-brother Bo, everyone was a playmate but made sure to be gentle and tender with her.," the release said. "Bonobos are incredibly intelligent, and their social group is tight-knit. The Jungle Trails team allowed every member of the troop to say a final goodbye and start the grieving process after this unexpected loss."

Amali's father, Vernon, previously passed away, according to the release.

The Jungle Trails team is prioritizing supportive care for the rest of the symptomatic members of the troop and is seeing signs of recovery.