Canadian zoo blames human error for gorilla’s tragic death: 'She will be deeply missed by all'
2-year-old female western lowland gorilla, ‘Eyare.' (Credit: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo)
CALGARY, Alberta - A zoo in Canada blamed human error for the death of a 2-year-old gorilla.
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo said "Eyare," a female western lowland gorilla, died after getting stuck in a hydraulic door that was being opened by a staff member.
The gorilla suffered traumatic head injuries.
"Eyare was moving around in the back of house, roaming from bedroom to bedroom interacting with the other gorillas. A member of her care team intended to activate a door to separate Eyare from other members of the troop for an individual animal training session but mistakenly activated the wrong door, resulting in Eyare being struck by the door and sustaining traumatic head injuries," Colleen Baird, Director of Animal Care, Health and Welfare, said in an online statement.
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"The gorilla team retrieved Eyare from the troop and the veterinary team immediately commenced lifesaving measures, including CPR. Sadly, Eyare succumbed to her injuries."
The zoo said it immediately launched a formal investigation and said steps will be taken, including specialized training, new safeguards, reassessing control lever locations and designs and alternatives to hydraulic-powered doors.
Zoo officials said the staff member responsible was immediately removed from the workplace, and will be reassigned and will undergo more training before returning to work with animals.
"This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable," Baird added. "Eyare’s short but impactful life brought so much joy to our community, and she will be deeply missed by all. We will do everything we can to prevent future incidents."