A young gorilla at the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada, tragically died last week due to a human error, according to zoo officials. Eyare, a 2-year-old western lowland gorilla, was struck in the head by a hydraulic door that a staff member accidentally activated. The worker had been attempting to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla troop for a solo training session when the fatal incident occurred.
Eyare suffered traumatic head injuries, which led to her death. The zoo expressed deep sorrow, with Colleen Baird, the zoo’s director of animal care, commenting on the impact the tragedy had on the community. “Eyare’s short but meaningful life brought immense joy to our community, and she will be deeply missed by all. We are committed to taking every step necessary to prevent future accidents,” Baird stated during a press conference.
In response to the incident, the staff member involved was immediately reassigned to another area of the zoo, and the zoo announced plans to implement new preventive measures, including additional specialized training for staff and improved animal behavior protocols. These steps aim to reduce the likelihood of such incidents occurring again in the future.
The death of Eyare is not the first time an animal has died in an accident at the Calgary Zoo. Previous incidents include a North American river otter drowning in 2016 after becoming tangled in a pair of pants dropped by a zookeeper, a penguin dying from swallowing a stick in 2013, and a capybara being crushed by a hydraulic door in 2009.
Animal Justice, a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation into the zoo’s animal safety protocols. Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice, voiced concerns over the zoo’s record of animal deaths, suggesting that a thorough, transparent review of operations and practices should be conducted by an external party.
The Calgary Zoo, however, defended its operations, emphasizing its adherence to industry standards and accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1978. A spokesperson for the zoo reassured the public that human error-related animal deaths are rare, with only two incidents in the past decade. The zoo also underscored its commitment to the care of over 4,000 animals, representing more than 100 species.
As part of their ongoing commitment to animal welfare, the zoo will explore alternatives to hydraulic doors to ensure safety, as these are commonly used in accredited zoos worldwide. The Calgary Zoo, which launched the Wilder Institute for conservation in 2021, is home to six other western lowland gorillas and continues to strive for the highest standards of care for all animals.
This tragic loss has sparked a reevaluation of safety measures at the zoo, with a focus on improving staff training and reinforcing protocols to safeguard both the animals and the dedicated staff who care for them.
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