Unexpected Incident at Calgary Zoo Raises Questions on Animal Safety Standards

Human error at the Calgary Zoo leads to the tragic death of a young gorilla, raising serious questions about animal safety measures.

First Harambe, then Eyare…

At a Glance

  • Two-year-old gorilla Eyare died after being struck by a mistakenly activated hydraulic door
  • The incident occurred during a routine vaccination training session
  • Calgary Zoo has a history of similar accidents involving hydraulic doors
  • The zoo is reassessing door control designs and implementing new safety measures
  • Animal rights activists are calling for an independent review of the zoo’s operations

Tragic Incident Exposes Ongoing Safety Concerns

The Calgary Zoo is under scrutiny following the death of Eyare, a two-year-old gorilla, in a tragic accident involving a hydraulic door. The incident occurred when a staff member accidentally activated the wrong door during a routine vaccination training session. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, including CPR, Eyare succumbed to her injuries, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures at the facility.

This is not an isolated incident at the Calgary Zoo. Previous accidents involving hydraulic doors have resulted in the deaths of other animals, including a capybara and a spider monkey. These recurring incidents raise serious questions about the zoo’s safety protocols and the adequacy of its current animal protection measures.

Zoo’s Response and Planned Improvements

In response to this tragic event, the Calgary Zoo has taken several steps to address the situation. The staff member involved has been removed from the workplace and will undergo additional training before returning to work. The zoo has also committed to reassessing control lever locations and designs to improve staff ability to confirm door operations.

“We have a transparency policy, so we want our community to know what’s going on, as it’s going on, within hours of an incident. We don’t wait for an incident like this to happen for us to make a change,” Colleen Baird said.

The zoo’s commitment to transparency is commendable, but it’s clear that more proactive measures are needed to prevent future tragedies. The planned improvements include specialized recurrent training for the gorilla care team, enhanced safeguards, and new animal behavior training. However, these steps may not be enough to address the underlying issues that have led to repeated incidents.

Calls for Independent Review

Animal rights activists are not satisfied with the zoo’s internal response. Animal Justice, a Canadian nonprofit, has called for an independent investigation into the zoo’s animal safety and oversight. This demand for external scrutiny is not without merit, given the zoo’s history of animal deaths.

“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” Camille Labchuk, the nonprofit’s executive director, explained.

While the Calgary Zoo disputes claims of a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, citing adherence to operational standards and accreditation, the recurring nature of these incidents suggests that a thorough, independent review might be necessary. The zoo’s accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1978 should not preclude it from external scrutiny, especially when animal lives are at stake.

The Broader Implications

The tragedy at the Calgary Zoo raises broader questions about the safety of animals in captivity and the effectiveness of current zoo practices. While zoos play a crucial role in conservation efforts and public education about wildlife, incidents like this underscore the need for constant vigilance and improvement in animal care protocols.

As the zoo community mourns the loss of Eyare, it’s clear that this incident must serve as a catalyst for change. The Calgary Zoo, and indeed all zoos, must prioritize the safety and well-being of the animals in their care above all else. Only through rigorous safety measures, ongoing training, and a willingness to subject themselves to independent review can zoos truly fulfill their mission of protecting and preserving wildlife.

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