Gorilla at a Canadian zoo died after worker mistakenly activated wrong door

Investigation and Response

The Calgary Zoo’s director of animal care, Colleen Baird, stated that an investigation determined the cause of the incident and that the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and reassigned to another area of the zoo.

Preventive Measures

• Specialized staff training for operating hydraulic doors

• Animal behavioral training to encourage gorillas to maintain a safe distance from doors during movement times

• Reviewing control levers, locations, and designs to improve staff ability to confirm the correct door

Previous Incidents at the Zoo

The Calgary Zoo has experienced previous incidents where animals have died due to human error. In 2016, an otter drowned in its enclosure, and in 2009, a giant capybara was crushed to death when a worker closed a hydraulic door.

Animal Justice Advocacy Group Response

Animal Justice, an advocacy group for the humane treatment of animals, has called for a broader look at safety at the zoo. The group stated that the use of hydraulic doors without safety mechanisms is clearly dangerous and appears to run contrary to license conditions.

Calgary Zoo’s Statement on Safety

The Calgary Zoo has released a statement stating that animal deaths caused by human error are extraordinarily rare. However, even one such incident is considered unacceptable, and the zoo has committed to reviewing and strengthening protocols to uphold the highest standards of care.

Gorilla Troop Grieves Loss

The gorilla troop, which includes six western lowland gorillas, has been grieving the loss of Eyare. The mother, Dossi, was particularly affected, spending time by herself in the first few days after the incident. However, since then, the gorillas have begun to spend more time together, with Dossi even sleeping with them.

Preventive Measures

The Calgary Zoo has announced that it will explore transitioning to alternative doors to improve safety and will provide new animal behavior training to encourage gorillas to maintain a safe distance from doors during movement times. The zoo will also reassess control levers, locations, and designs of the hydraulic doors to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Incident Details

Eyare was being moved to a different area of the facility for a solo training session when the incident occurred. The staff member intended to activate a door to separate the gorilla from other members of the troop, but mistakenly activated the wrong door, striking Eyare in the head. Despite life-saving efforts, the gorilla died.

Gorilla Troop Grieving Process

The gorillas in the troop have been grieving Eyare’s death, with the mother, Dossi, spending time alone initially but now showing signs of supporting each other. The zoo is providing support to the staff member involved and has implemented measures to prevent future incidents.

This is not the first time an animal has died due to human error at the Calgary Zoo. In 2016, a North American river otter drowned after becoming tangled in unauthorized pants dropped by a zookeeper. A penguin also died in 2013 when she swallowed a stick, and a capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door in 2009.

Animal Justice Calls for Investigation

Animal Justice, an advocacy group for the humane treatment of animals, has called for an independent investigation into animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility. The organization’s executive director, Camille Labchuk, stated that the Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos and that there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices.

Zoo’s Response

The Calgary Zoo has rebutted the assertion that they have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos. They noted that they adhere to operational standards and have upheld accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.

Investigation and Reaction

According to Colleen Baird, the zoo’s director of animal care, health and welfare, an investigation determined that a staffer intended to activate a door to separate Eyare from other members of her troop. However, they mistakenly activated the wrong door, resulting in the gorilla being struck by it.

The staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo, where they will undergo further training before working with animals again. The zoo has also announced that it will implement preventive measures, including specialized staff training and animal behavioral training, to avoid similar incidents in the future.

This incident is not the first time an animal has died due to human error at the Calgary Zoo. In 2016, a North American river otter drowned after becoming tangled in unauthorized pants dropped by a zookeeper. A penguin also died in 2013 when she swallowed a stick, and a capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door in 2009.