A gorilla at a Canadian zoo died after a worker mistakenly activated the wrong door
Human error led to the tragic death of Eyare, a 2-year-old western lowland gorilla, at the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada. Zoo officials revealed that Eyare died last week after being struck in the head by a hydraulic door that a staff member accidentally activated. The incident occurred during an attempt to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla troop for a solo training session.
The young gorilla succumbed to traumatic head injuries. This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable, said Colleen Baird, Calgary Zoo’s director of animal care, during a news conference. Eyare’s short but impactful life brought immense joy to our community, and she will be deeply missed. We are committed to preventing future incidents.
The staff member involved in the accident has been removed from their current role and will be reassigned. Meanwhile, the zoo is implementing preventive measures, including enhanced staff training and improvements in animal handling protocols, to reduce the risk of similar occurrences.
This is not the first time the Calgary Zoo has faced scrutiny over animal deaths caused by human error. In 2016, an otter drowned after becoming entangled in an unauthorized pair of pants dropped in its enclosure. Earlier incidents include a penguin dying in 2013 after swallowing a stick and a capybara being crushed by a hydraulic door in 2009.
Animal Justice, a nonprofit advocating for humane animal treatment, has called for an independent investigation into the zoo’s safety practices. Given Eyare’s death, there should be a systematic review of the Calgary Zoo’s operations and oversight, conducted transparently by the government or another external party, said Camille Labchuk, the organization’s executive director.
In response, the Calgary Zoo stated that animal deaths caused by human error are exceedingly rare and emphasized their adherence to operational standards. They highlighted their continuous accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1978. While such incidents are uncommon, even one is too many,” a zoo spokesperson said. “These tragedies serve as critical learning moments to strengthen our protocols and uphold the highest standards of care.
The zoo is also exploring alternatives to hydraulic doors, which are commonly used in accredited zoos, to enhance safety. Home to over 4,000 animals across 100 species, including six other western lowland gorillas, the Calgary Zoo remains committed to conservation through its Wilder Institute, launched in 2021.
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