2-year-old Gorilla Dies After Hydraulic Door Mistakenly Activated

Summary:

Calgary, Canada – Calgary Zoo officials confirmed on Wednesday that the recent death of a two-year-old gorilla was an accident resulting from human error. Eyare, a female western lowland gorilla, died at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo last week. The zoo’s investigation into the death included internal and external experts, and interviews with staff involved in the incident.

The animal’s death occurred last Tuesday around 9 a.m., when a gorilla care team member intended to activate a door that would separate Eyare from other animals for an individual training session, said Colleen Baird, zoo director of animal care, health and welfare. Eyare had been roaming around and interacting with other gorillas. The worker mistakenly activated the wrong door, resulting in the gorilla being struck by the door and sustaining traumatic head injuries, Baird said.

The gorilla team retrieved Eyare and immediately attempted to use life-saving care, including CPR, but the gorilla died from her injuries shortly after 9:30 a.m.

Zoo officials confirmed the doors were operating correctly at the time of Eyare’s death. The zoo’s gorilla care team will now participate in additional annual training that confirms their ability to use hydraulic doors that are designated for animal use.

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