NATIONAL NEWS - An investigation is currently underway at the Pretoria Zoo to determine how a gorilla got out of its enclosure on Friday.
Binga, a 17-year-old described as “very reserved and shy” frightened employees last week when he escaped his enclosure.
National trade union congress branch secretary Frans Rasethe said while on strike, workers received phone calls from colleagues at the zoo, saying a gorilla had escaped.
“People were also running around the park, in an attempt to escape, shouting that a gorilla had escaped.”
Rasethe said according to the colleagues, a student worker had “forgotten to close the gate of the enclosure after feeding the animal”.
Rasethe said the gorilla almost reached the elephant enclosure, close to the main entrance into the zoo.
“I am shocked as it is the first time in 100 years that an animal has escaped in the zoo. I don’t ever remember an incident on an animal escaping at the Pretoria Zoo,” he alleged.
The South African national biodiversity institute, however, said it had managed to safely return the gorilla to its enclosure.
“Binga was returned within several minutes of his escape and no persons were in danger at any time,” SANBI said.
The institute said appropriate emergency procedures were followed to ensure that visitors, staff and Binga were all kept safe.
“SANBI would like to assure members of the public that the zoo has a rapid response strategy and follows specific protocols for such eventualities.
“The zoo has highly qualified staff trained to handle such incidents.”
SANBI said the zoo also had signage displayed, explaining to visitors what to do in the event of an animal escape.
“Corrective measures will be implemented,” SANBI said.
Binga is a member of the bachelor group of males that form part of the European endangered species programme and arrived at the Pretoria Zoo in 2010.
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