2-year-old gorilla Eyare died after hydraulic door mistakenly activated, Calgary Zoo confirms

Calgary Zoo officials have confirmed that the recent tragic death of a two-year-old gorilla named Eyare was the result of human error. Eyare, a female western lowland gorilla, passed away at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo last week. The zoo conducted a thorough investigation into the incident, which involved internal and external experts as well as interviews with staff members who were present during the accident.

The incident occurred last Tuesday morning when a member of the gorilla care team mistakenly activated the wrong door while trying to separate Eyare from other animals for a training session. As a result, the gorilla was struck by the door, sustaining traumatic head injuries. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, including CPR, Eyare tragically succumbed to her injuries shortly after 9:30 a.m.

Colleen Baird, the zoo’s director of animal care, health, and welfare, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Eyare and emphasized the zoo’s commitment to learning and healing from the experience. Eyare’s death marks the second time in the past decade that a human error has resulted in the death of an animal at the Calgary Zoo, with a North American river otter also tragically perishing in 2016.

Eyare, born at the zoo on April 20, 2022, was the first offspring of her parents, Dossi and Jasiri. The zoo has confirmed that the doors were functioning correctly at the time of the incident. Moving forward, the gorilla care team will undergo additional annual training to ensure their proficiency in using hydraulic doors designated for animal use. The zoo is also considering reassessing control lever locations and designs to enhance staff’s ability to visually and tactically confirm the door they are operating.

Furthermore, gorillas will receive training to encourage them to maintain a safe distance from doors during movement times. The staff member directly involved in the accident has been provided with support and will undergo further training before being reassigned to a different area.

In response to Eyare’s death, the Calgary Zoo is exploring alternative door and control designs to potentially improve facility safety. The zoo, accredited under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), will report its findings and corrective actions to the association. The zoo remains committed to enhancing staff training, animal care processes, and safety measures.

AZA President and CEO Dan Ashe expressed condolences to the Calgary Zoo staff and affirmed that the association will work with the zoo to minimize the risk of similar tragedies. Rob Laidlaw, director of Zoocheck, commended the zoo’s efforts to improve its system but suggested that moving away from hydraulic doors entirely could be a safer solution.

The Calgary Zoo’s investigation into hydraulic doors that allow gorillas to stop them at any time demonstrates a proactive approach to preventing future accidents. By learning from past mistakes and implementing necessary changes, the zoo aims to prioritize the safety and well-being of its animal residents.