Human error led to the tragic death of Eyare, a 2-year-old western lowland gorilla at the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada. The incident occurred when a staff member mistakenly activated a hydraulic door while attempting to separate Eyare for a training session. The young gorilla suffered fatal head injuries.
Calgary Zoo officials expressed profound sorrow over the loss, with Colleen Baird, the zoo’s director of animal care, vowing to implement preventive measures, including enhanced staff and animal behavioral training. The involved staff member was reassigned, and the zoo is exploring alternatives to hydraulic doors to improve safety.
The statement said the gorilla died from traumatic head injuries.
The incident has sparked calls for an independent investigation by Animal Justice, citing concerns about animal safety. Calgary Zoo, however, defended its operational standards, noting its accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1978 and emphasizing the rarity of human-caused animal deaths.
The zoo, home to over 4,000 animals, acknowledged the tragedy as a critical learning opportunity to uphold and strengthen care protocols.
