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  • From: Carrie McLaren <stay.free AT verizon.net>
  • To: monkeywire AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [monkeywire] Gorilla "Kwan" slaps zoo employee around
  • Date: Wed, 06 Jul 2005 10:07:03 -0400

Human error led to attack by gorilla
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-gorilla06.html

July 6, 2005

BY ANNIE SWEENEY AND LISA DONOVAN Staff Reporters
Chicago Sun-Times

A 450-pound gorilla at Lincoln Park Zoo attacked a 32-year-old zookeeper intern Tuesday morning while she was working in the zoo's gorilla habitat.

The woman, who started working at the zoo recently for a summer internship, suffered only minor injuries and was at home recuperating Tuesday afternoon. Officials at the zoo said the attack, the second by an animal in the past year and the latest in a series of mishaps, was due to "human error" and disciplinary action was under consideration.

Zoo officials did not say how Kwan, a dominant silverback gorilla, got so close to the intern, who was working at The Regenstein Center for African Apes, a 29,000-square-foot habitat with three outdoor spaces that blend into adjoining indoor spaces.

When animals are restricted from an area so zookeepers can work, a series of security steps are taken before animals are allowed back into the area, including radio calls and removal of warning signs on doors, McGrath said. So far, zoo officials believe all the equipment -- including doors and radios -- were working.

"We know that somebody made a mistake. That is all we know," said zoo spokeswoman Kelly McGrath. "We know nothing malfunctioned.''

Last September, zookeeper Nancy DeFiesta was mauled by two lions after she entered an exhibit after the animals had been released. That also was a case of human error, but it triggered no disciplinary action.

'Red Kwan!'

Those working at the zoo Tuesday were startled at about 10:30 a.m. to hear the words "red Kwan'' crackle over their radios, a signal something serious had happened involving Kwan, one of two dominant males in the gorilla habitat.

Kwan had come upon the woman working in an outdoor habitat space and responded just as a dominant male gorilla is expected to -- he shoved her down and "mouthed" her, pressing his lips and teeth against the left side of her back, zoo officials said.

The bite and attack left a shallow mark, scratches and puncture wounds on the woman, who also suffered a sprained ankle. The move was not aggressive, zoo officials said.

"Kwan's aim was certainly not to hurt the employee but to clearly illustrate his dominance,'' said Lincoln Park Zoo General Curator Dr. Robyn Barbiers in a statement. "It is not uncommon for female gorillas to receive very similar wounds when the silverback feels they are challenging his authority."

After the attack, Kwan ran inside with other female gorillas.

He is frequently described as a friendly gorilla and even has a credit on the silver screen: Kwan played the role of Sydney in the romantic comedy "Return To Me,'' which was set in Chicago.

Visitors flowed in and out of the ape house Tuesday and the curious quizzed a gaggle of reporters and photographers about what happened.

Gail Allen, 35, of the Galewood community, had reservations about bringing her two sons to the zoo, but decided she needed to see for herself how the animals were faring after news of problems. Plus, there's a great educational component for the boys: "I like it because it's free and a great thing to have for the public, and we do donate" to the zoo, she said. But she said her family is also concerned about the animals' welfare.

OSHA contacted

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have been contacted, but the incident is also under review by zoo officials, and disciplinary action was being discussed Tuesday, according to a statement from the zoo.

Kevin Bell, zoo president, offered in May to resign after a string of animal deaths at the zoo, including three elephants, three langurs, a gorilla and a camel.

The chairman of the zoo's board declined the offer, and reports on deaths of the three elephants, two gorillas and a camel seemed to agree with explanations by the zoo that the animals died of disease and not neglect. The three langurs -- glossy black monkeys that inhabit northeast Vietnam -- died after they were moved to a different habitat.

McGrath stressed that Tuesday's attack had nothing to do with other events at the zoo, including the deaths.




  • [monkeywire] Gorilla "Kwan" slaps zoo employee around, Carrie McLaren, 07/06/2005

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