CALGARY, Alberta (Gray News) – The death of a gorilla has been ruled an accident caused by “human error,” according to Canada Zoo officials.

Eyare, a 2-year-old western lowland gorilla in captivity at the Wilder Institute-Calgary Zoo, died Nov. 12 while moving between backyard spaces.

According to Colleen Baird, the zoo’s director of animal care, health and welfare, a member of the team accidentally activated the wrong door while trying to separate Eyare from other members of the gorilla troop.

Eyare was hit by the door and suffered “traumatic head injuries,” Baird said.

“Our little member of the troop will be remembered for her playful spirit and curious nature and will be missed by the entire zoo and our community,” the zoo said in a statement. statement.

The member of staff has been removed from work following the accident and will be reassigned to another area of ​​the zoo while he undergoes further training.

Additional preventive and corrective actions will be implemented at the zoo, including specialist staff sessions and improved animal behavior training.

The locations of the door control levers are also being re-evaluated.

The Wilder Institute-Calgary Zoo cares for more than 4,000 animals, including six other western lowland gorillas.

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