CALGARY—More than a week after her death, the Calgary Zoo has disclosed that Eyare, a two-year-old gorilla, died from traumatic injuries caused by a hydraulic door that was activated incorrectly by staff. Eyare’s disturbing final moments raise serious questions about animal safety and oversight at the facility.
“The news that Eyare was crushed to death by a hydraulic door, due to human error, is absolutely shocking,” said Camille Labchuk, lawyer and executive director of Animal Justice. “It would have been immediately obvious how Eyare died, so it is troubling that the zoo waited an entire week to publicly share her cause of death.
“This tragically mirrors a similar death at the zoo in 2009, when a capybara was also killed by a hydraulic door, and another incident where a spider monkey was crushed to death by a hydraulic door. The Alberta government should investigate whether the zoo is complying with its license conditions, which require all equipment be installed in a way that does not present a hazard to animals. The use of hydraulic doors without safety mechanisms is clearly dangerous, and appears to run contrary to license conditions.
“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.”
Contact:
Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
Camille Labchuk
Executive Director
[email protected]
