In brief
Eyare, a young western lowland gorilla, died from injuries sustained when a hydraulic door at Calgary Zoo was accidentally activated by a staff member. This incident has prompted a review of safety procedures and additional staff training as the zoo mourns the loss.
A heart-wrenching incident at the Calgary Zoo has led to the untimely death of a young western lowland gorilla, Eyare, at just 2 years old. The incident occurred on November 12 when a staff member mistakenly activated a hydraulic door that struck Eyare during an attempt to separate her for a routine vaccination training session.Eyare, who weighed approximately 30 pounds and was born at the zoo, was known for her playful interactions with the other gorillas in her habitat. On the day of the incident, while a staff member was managing the excitable atmosphere in the enclosure, an operational error led to the accidental activation of the wrong door as it was closing.Colleen Baird, the zoo’s director of animal care, elaborated on the unfortunate circumstances, stating, “A team member intended to activate a door that they were looking at, but accidentally used the control lever for a different door.” This resulted in Eyare being struck, which led to a series of lifesaving measures that were ultimately unsuccessful.Following the incident, the staff member involved was reportedly devastated and has been temporarily removed from their position while undergoing additional training to ensure such an accident does not happen again. Baird reassured that the staff member was experienced and comfortable working with gorillas, highlighting that it was a tragic error rather than a reflection of their skills.As the zoo community comes together to mourn the loss of Eyare, there has been an outpouring of grief and remembrance from animal lovers everywhere. Eyare’s death raises critical concerns regarding safety measures in animal care settings and emphasizes the need for continual training and vigilance to protect both the animals and the dedicated staff caring for them.
