Join our zoo community

Dallas Zoo Gorilla's 'freakish' escape still puzzling zoo officials

Discussion in 'United States' started by Simon Hampel, 21 Mar 2004.

  1. Simon Hampel

    Simon Hampel Administrator Staff Member 20+ year member

    Joined:
    18 Oct 2003
    Posts:
    4,035
    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    Gorilla's 'freakish' escape still puzzling zoo officials

    http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/local/8232786.htm

     
  2. Nigel

    Nigel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    23 Jan 2004
    Posts:
    733
    Location:
    Wellington , New Zealand
    It will be interesting to know the outcome of the investigation of how the gorilla escaped . Can you keep an eye on the source , Sim ?
    As I have a keen interest in zoo layout and enclosure design this is of great interest . Most large US city zoos contract specialised companies to design the exhibits , especially ones that contain (?) large primates , elephants and other "intelligent " species to reduce stress and boredom . One such company that has been contracted by Dallas zoo in the past is ZOOLEX .
    Perhaps that it was just as well it was a gorilla that escaped rather than , say , a tiger , otherwise there would have been deaths at the zoo . Too bad that the gorilla was shot . ( There isnt exactly a surplus of gorillas left in the world ) Although I am not privvy to the situation there , I still wonder why someone couldnt fired tranquillisers instead of bullets .
    It comes back to the question of what resources do the police/other emergency personnel have , with dealing with potentially dangerous animals on the loose .( Like the fire at NSW reptile farm -- there would have been alot of hot angry venomous snakes that someone would have to have dealt with ) Is there any official policy for those sort of situations in Australia ?