Another gorilla has died at the Calgary Zoo due to “human error”: it’s time to say enough to these prisons!

The death of Eyarea young sun-drenched western lowland gorilla 2 years took place at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zooin Canada, has shocked animal lovers and has once again brought to light a series of problems related to the management of animals in zoos.

Eyare passed away on November 12, 2024 following a human error: a staff member has accidentally activated a hydraulic door which hit the young gorilla, causing traumatic head injuries. Despite immediate attempts to revive her, Eyare did not survive.

The zoo declared it a tragic accident and launched an internal investigation. After seeing what happened, he announced some corrective actions to ensure this doesn’t happen again include new annual training sessions for staff, changes to door control systems and exploring alternatives to hydraulic doors to improve safety. The employee involved, temporarily removed from his position, will be reassigned and subjected to additional training before returning to work with animals.

There are many, many accidental deaths in this zoo

However this incident . In recent years, the Calgary Zoo has been the scene of other accidental deaths. In 2016 a North American river otter is drowned after getting caught in an unauthorized pair of pants that fell into her enclosure.

In 2009 a capybara was crushed by a hydraulic doorwhile a penguin died in 2013 after swallowed a stick. These incidents, combined with data that the zoo’s animal mortality rate is higher than similar facilities, have raised criticism from organizations such as Animal Justice, which has called for an independent investigation to ensure the safety of the animals.

All this can only call into question the entire zoo system. Although presented as places of conservation and education, zoos too often they fail in ensuring the safety and well-being of animals. Containment systems, designed to protect humans and control animals, can turn into deadly traps.

Plus the very idea of ​​confining wild animals in limited spaces for human entertainment it now appears anachronistic and unethical. These species should run free in their habitats and not end up being “beautiful statuettes” for commemorative selfies in totally different environments compared to their native ones, with opposite weather and living conditions.

Eyare’s death must serve as alarm bellnot just for the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, but for the entire zoo industry. It’s time to rethink our relationship with animals and focus on alternatives where animal welfare takes priority over profit or entertainment.