Tragic Loss of Young Gorilla at Calgary Zoo Spurs Safety Review

The Calgary Zoo is mourning the loss of Eyare, a two-year-old western lowland gorilla who tragically died last week. Officials have confirmed that the incident was caused by human error, leading to Eyare sustaining fatal injuries from a hydraulic door.

The accident occurred during a routine training session when a staff member mistakenly activated the wrong door. Despite immediate efforts to save her, including CPR, Eyare succumbed to her injuries shortly after the incident. “We are still grieving the loss of this young gorilla,” said Colleen Baird, director of animal care, health, and welfare at the zoo.

Eyare, born in April 2022, was the first offspring of her parents, Dossi and Jasiri, and brought immense joy to the zoo community. Her death has sparked an internal and external review involving experts to ensure the facility can prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The zoo is introducing additional safety measures, including enhanced staff training, reexamining the design and placement of door controls, and training gorillas to maintain a safe distance during door operations. The staff member involved is being supported and will undergo reassignment and further training.

The tragedy has raised broader questions about hydraulic door systems in zoos. While these systems are standard in accredited facilities, some, including wildlife protection advocate Rob Laidlaw, argue for alternatives due to the risks they pose. Laidlaw pointed to past incidents, such as a gorilla death at the San Francisco Zoo and a capybara fatality at the Calgary Zoo, to highlight the dangers of hydraulic doors.

The zoo has pledged to explore alternative door systems and report its findings to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The AZA has expressed Support for the zoo during this challenging time, acknowledging its commitment to learning from the incident.

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