2-year-old gorilla dies after hydraulic gate accident at zoo

CALGARY, Alberta (Gray News) – The death of a gorilla has been ruled an accident caused by “human error,” according to zoo officials in Canada.

Eyare, a 2-year-old western lowland gorilla in captivity at the Wilder Institute-Calgary Zoo, died Nov. 12 while wandering around the back grounds of the house.

According to Colleen Baird, the zoo’s director of animal care, health and welfare, one of the team members accidentally operated the wrong door While trying to separate Eyere from the other members of the gorilla group.

Eyeare crashed into the door and suffered a “traumatic head injury,” Baird said. in question.

“Our little troop member will be remembered for his playful spirit and curious nature and will be deeply missed by the zoo and our community,” the zoo said in a statement. expression.

The staff member was suspended from the workplace following the accident and will be reassigned to another part of the zoo to receive further training.

Additional preventive and corrective actions will be implemented at the zoo, including specialist staff sessions and enhanced animal behavior training.

The location of the door control handles is also being re-evaluated.

The Wilder Institute-Calgary Zoo cares for more than 4,000 animals, including six other western lowland gorillas.

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