London zoo: Calls for urgent investigation into how silverback gorilla escaped from pen

Gorilla escape: Kumbuku got out of his pen into another enclosure
Rob Hogan.
Chloe Chaplain14 October 2016

A leading wildlife group has called for an urgent inquiry into the escape of a large silverback gorilla from its enclosure at London Zoo.

The 29-stone silverback male ape Kumbuka escaped from his main enclosure on Thursday after being seen charging at the glass wall in his enclosure.

Sources have told The Standard the door to his den was accidentally left open, allowing him to escape.

Kumbuka made it as far as a non-public keeper area but the Born Free Foundation said it "could have ended very differently", calling for an inquiry into the incident.

Zoo workers patch up cracks in glass made by Kumbuka after he charged at onlookers
Jeremy Selwyn

The foundation said the incident was a "startling reminder" of the risks of keeping dangerous wild animals in captivity.

It has called for an inquiry and for the Zoos Expert Committee, the Government advisory body, to investigate the safety and welfare of great apes in UK zoos.

Chris Draper, associate director for animal welfare and care at the foundation, said: "While we are relieved that this incident apparently ended without injury to visitors or to the gorilla, it is yet another startling reminder of the risks associated with maintaining dangerous wild animals in captivity.

"This incident could have ended very differently. We are calling for an urgent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding this escape, and into safety procedures at London Zoo."

The Born Free Foundation, which campaigns for zoos to be phased out, called on the Government to increase penalties for attractions if they are found to have put visitors or animals at risk.

Malcolm Fitzpatrick, curator of mammals at ZSL, refused to specify how the animal managed to escape, despite persistent questioning on Radio 4's Today programme.

Glenn Copus

Mr Fitzpatrick said: "Categorically I can say that a male silverback gorilla Kumbuka did not break through any glass.

"Kumbuka got out of his back dens into a secure keeper area."

When asked how the animal had got out he said the matter was "under investigation".

Armed police were deployed at the central London zoo as keepers desperately tried to locate the animal, described by witnesses as "agitated", which was eventually tranquillised and returned to its enclosure.

A zoo official said members of the public were "never in any danger" as the western lowland gorilla had remained in a secure keeper area.

There were no reports of injuries in Thursday's incident and Kumbuka was later seen "up and grumbling and interacting with the rest of his gorilla family", said Mr Fitzpatrick.

Staff and visitors were locked in buildings after a klaxon went off at the zoo, signalling the animal's escape
PA

Mr Fitzpatrick would not confirm if there were keepers in the area at the time and said the public gorilla viewing zone had only a "handful" of people there.

He added: "At no time were any of our visitors in any danger. The gorilla did not get out of the safe space, there were only about 100 visitors."

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