'Devastated': Death of young gorilla at Calgary zoo caused by ...
'A member of her care team ... mistakenly activated the wrong door, resulting in Eyare being struck by the door and sustaining traumatic head injuries'
Author of the article:
The Canadian Press
Bill Graveland
Published Nov 20, 2024 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 3 minute read
CALGARY — Officials at the Calgary zoo say a young gorilla was killed after a worker accidentally closed a wrong door and the animal was struck in the head.
Eyare, a two-year-old female western lowland gorilla, was injured Nov. 13 at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo while being moved to a different area in the facility.
Colleen Baird, the zoo’s director of animal care, health and welfare, says an investigation determined a staffer intended to activate a door to separate the gorilla from other members of the troop.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsArticle content
“A member of her care team … mistakenly activated the wrong door, resulting in Eyare being struck by the door and sustaining traumatic head injuries,” Baird told reporters at a news conference Wednesday.
The veterinary team immediately started life-saving measures, including CPR, but Eyare succumbed to her injuries.
The troop of critically endangered gorillas also included a silverback male, a young male and four adult females. They can weigh between 68 and 181 kilograms.
Eyare was born at the zoo in April 2022, the first offspring for dam Dossi and sire Jasiri.
She was injured in the back-of-house area, where staff train gorillas, feed them, and provide ultrasounds and veterinary services.
Baird declined to give any details that could identify the worker responsible for the death.
“The animal care member directly involved is devastated and mourning this loss alongside all of us. They were immediately removed from the workplace following the incident and we are providing support to them during this difficult time,” Baird said.
She said the staff member would be reassigned to another area of the zoo and undergo further training before working with animals again.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Article content
In addition to existing training, processes and policy requirements, she said the gorilla care team would also get specialized training for operating hydraulic doors.
“We are reassessing control levers, locations and designs … we’ll implement changes to improve staff ability to confirm, both visually and by touch, what animal doors they are moving,” she said.
Recommended from Editorial
Apes recognize pictures of friends they haven't seen for more than 26 years
Zoo in China denies allegations some of its bears might be 'humans in disguise'
Baird added there would also be new animal behaviour training to encourage gorillas to maintain a safe distance from doors during movement times.
She said the gorillas are very social and have been grieving the death.
“The first few days after the incident the gorillas were very quiet. We gave them lots of choices to move around as they saw fit. At times, the mother, Dossi, would spend time by herself,” Baird said.
“Since the days have progressed, we’ve seen the gorillas spend more time with Dossi, sleep with Dossi. They are supporting each other.”
In 2009, a giant capybara, a central American rodent, was crushed to death in a holding area at the zoo when a worker closed a hydraulic door.
Article content
There have also been other deaths at the zoo this year.
A seven-year-old polar bear named Baffin drowned in July in the plunge pool in his enclosure. A necropsy found his trachea was crushed by another bear while the two were engaged in rough play.
In April, the zoo announced the death of one of its mandrills — a large and colourful monkey. It said 20-year-old Yusufu died after undergoing emergency abdominal surgery.
Animal Justice, an advocacy group for the humane treatment of animals, said it’s time for a broader look at safety at the zoo.
“The Alberta government should investigate whether the zoo is complying with its license conditions, which require all equipment be installed in a way that does not present a hazard to animals,” Animal Justice executive director Camille Labchuk said in a statement.
“The use of hydraulic doors without safety mechanisms is clearly dangerous and appears to run contrary to license conditions.”
Labchuk added, “The Calgary zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared (with) other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices.”
Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
Article content
