Rebecca Manzi Eyare died at just two years old, hit by an electric door activated by mistake: she is not the first deceased animal in an infinite series that it is time to break
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The death of Eyare, a two-year-old western lowland gorilla at the Wilder Institute/Zoo in Calgary, Canada, has deeply shaken animal lovers and has reignited discussions on the management and welfare of animals in zoos.
Eyare died on November 12, 2024, from a tragic human error: a staff member accidentally triggered a hydraulic door that struck the young gorilla and caused her fatal head injuries. She couldn’t be saved despite immediate efforts to resuscitate her.
The zoo has termed the incident a tragic accident and has initiated an internal investigation. In response, they have announced a number of corrective actions to prevent any recurrence of such incidents. These include compulsory annual training sessions for all staff, updating the door control systems, and finding alternatives to hydraulic doors for improved safety. The staff member concerned has been temporarily transferred from the post and will undergo additional training before being returned to animal care duties.
Too many accidental deaths at this zoo
Unfortunately, Eyare’s death is not an isolated incident. The Calgary Zoo has experienced other accidental deaths in recent years. In 2016, a North American river otter drowned after becoming entangled in a pair of unauthorized pants that had fallen into its enclosure.
Incidents that occurred, such as a capybara crushed by a hydraulic door in 2009 and a penguin that died after swallowing a stick in 2013, added to the negative reports about the zoo having a higher animal mortality rate than its peers. These incidents have brought up criticism, and groups such as Animal Justice are seeking an independent investigation into how safe and well the animals are treated.
These events throw a shadow over the role of zoos as agents of conservation and education. A system devised to safeguard human life and to control the animals may sometimes become a lethal trap.
The ethics of keeping wild animals in zoos
The debate about the ethics regarding zoos keeps growing. While zoos are portrayed as centers of education and conservation, in most instances, their ability to guarantee safety and welfare for the animals is often compromised. Confining wild animals to limited spaces for human entertainment increasingly seems outdated and unethical.
Animals belong in their natural habitats, where they can roam freely and live in conditions suited to their species, rather than being confined in environments vastly different from their native ecosystems. These settings often do not provide the natural weather, social structures, and space animals need to thrive.
Eyare’s death should be a wake-up call, not only for the Wilder Institute/Zoo in Calgary but for the entire zoo industry. It is time to rethink our relationship with wildlife and shift towards alternatives that prioritize animal welfare over profit and entertainment.
Source: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
