Alarm as gorilla escapes at zoo
17-year-old Binga was returned to his enclosure shortly after he got out; zoo says no one was in any danger
GOITSEMANG TLHABYE goitsemang.tlhabye@inl.co.za
THE National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria is investigating how one of its western lowland gorillas escaped its enclosure and went walk-about yesterday.
The 17-year-old gorilla known as Binga was darted by a vet and returned to its enclosure.
The gorilla arrived at the zoo in 2010 from Zurich, Switzerland.
The escape was another mishap which striking staff workers affiliated to the National Trade Union Congress alleged was another indication of how things were “falling apart” at the zoo due to their protracted strike action.
Workers transferred from the National Research Foundation (NRF) in April last year have been protesting since June 10 over benefits they allege are owed to them.
Frans Rasethe, union branch secretary, said yesterday morning workers heard people running around the park, shouting that a gorilla was running around near the elephant enclosure.
Word was that a student worker had not ensured that the gate to the enclosure in the middle section of the zoo was properly secured.
“The people that ensure that everything runs smoothly inside are the workers outside here protesting for their benefits to be paid,” he said, further claiming that things were “falling apart” at the zoo because of the strike.
Earlier, when Willie the koala died workers claimed it was due to the strike, although zoo management said he was old and had died from liver failure.
Acting director of the zoo, Thompson Mutshinyalo, confirmed Binga got out and that appropriate emergency procedures were followed to ensure safety of visitors, staff and animals.
“Binga was returned within several minutes of his escape and no persons were in danger at any time. Binga will receive high quality veterinary care while recovering from the experience,” he said.
Mutshinyalo said zoo management wanted members of the public to know that the zoo had a rapid response strategy and followed specific protocols for such eventualities, with qualified staff members trained to handle the situation.
“An investigation is currently under way to determine how Binga got out… and corrective measures will be implemented thereafter,” Mutshinyalo added.
Binga is said to be a very reserved and shy gorilla in his mid-life span. He joined the zoo from the Geneva Zoo in 2010.
Of the strike action, Rasethe said the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs had indicated to the union that it had given directives to the zoo management this week.
However, he said, they had still not received any new communication from the zoo and would continue the protest until Monday as they await further information on progress in the talks.
Craig Allenby, spokesperson for the zoo, has maintained the zoo’s stance that conditions of service of employees would be harmonised over a period of 24 months, and that matters were on track for this process to be completed by the stipulated date of March 31, 2020.
He has consistently denied that the strike is affecting the care given to the 9000 animals housed in the zoo.
Meanwhile, it is reported that following the death of the zoo’s last remaining koala, it is keen to get more of the popular animals in its display.
Willie, the first koala born in captivity in South Africa, was the offspring of two of four koalas gifted to the zoo as part of its Australia exhibit during the directorship time of Willie Labuschagne. Willie died in June at the age of 13. Koalas can be seen in very few zoos outside Australia because of the strict conditions for keeping them in captivity. Their main diet is eucalyptus leaves, and their housing standards are also regulated.
Gorillas eat a variety of fruit and supplement this with leaves, pith, shoots and bark.