In brief
Eyare, a 2-year-old gorilla at the Calgary Zoo, suffered fatal injuries when a hydraulic door was mistakenly activated by an experienced staff member. Despite immediate medical efforts, the gorilla could not be saved.
On November 12, 2024, a tragic incident occurred at the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada, resulting in the death of a 2-year-old western lowland gorilla named Eyare. The young gorilla was fatally injured when a hydraulic door was accidentally activated by a staff member during an attempt to prepare Eyare for a vaccination training session. Eyare was interacting with other gorillas when the staff member mistakenly used the control for a different entry point. Colleen Baird, the zoo's director of animal care, explained the circumstances: “The team member intended to operate a door that they were focused on, but they inadvertently activated a different door.” Eyare, weighing approximately 30 pounds, was passing through the door's pathway when the accident occurred and was struck as it closed. Despite the immediate lifesaving measures taken by the zoo's team, Eyare was pronounced dead shortly after 9:30 a.m. The accident left the staff member involved deeply affected, prompting their removal from the area as a precaution. Baird confirmed that the staff member was experienced in interacting with gorillas and that they would receive further training before returning to their duties. Eyare was one of six western lowland gorillas residing at the zoo, which continues to address the incident's emotional impact on the entire team.
