Gorilla Shot After Escaping at Dallas Zoo

[kskiska]

DALLAS (AP) - Police shot and killed a gorilla that escaped from its enclosure at the Dallas Zoo on Thursday and injured three people.

One adult and two children, ages 10 and 2, suffered minor injuries from the gorilla and were taken to area hospitals, Deputy Police Chief Daniel Garcia said. He said the three were bitten and scratched.

The zoo was evacuated after the animal escaped and police were notified. When the gorilla charged two officers, getting within 15 feet of them, they opened fire, Garcia said.

``We were forced to put this animal down,'' he said.

(snip)

Diana Gonzalez, a zoo patron, said she saw the animal banging on the door of its enclosure, and then it broke. The gorilla then scampered out of the gorilla pit.

Dallas zoo director Rich Buickerood said the primate was an inquisitive 13-year-old Western Lowland gorilla. He said the animal was likely ``extremely excited and extremely fearful while it was out.''

more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3878144,00.html

[Democat]

1. Sad

Rest in Peace, Gorilla.

Too bad the police didn't run away and get someone with a non-lethal weapon, like they usually do with escaped animals.

[trappedoldman]

2. Sucks...

I've been to that zoo and spent a lot of time looking at the gorillas. :-(

[Avalon Sparks]

3. Yes it does suck~

I've looked at the Gorilla's there too. You would think they would have an emergency tranqilizer dart gun or something onhand for a situation like this..

Probably city cutbacks.

A sad farewell to a Gorilla that refused live in a fishbowl any longer.

[sprockets]

4. ``extremely excited and extremely fearful while it was out.''

Thats great isnt it? a wild animal now caged is fearful of
being free? Wow, what a great world. No probs tho, humans
(hopefully) will be extinct in another 20 to 30 years, and
next time around perhaps nature will bypass the homo-sapiens
plague.

[shance]

5. This breaks my heart.....must be like breaking out of a prison for him.

Why couldnt they use a tranquilizer gun?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

6. Nooooo............. Mr Bush are you OK? Oops sorry I get my apes mixed up.

[peacebuzzard]

7. Poor baby. He never had a choice.

Just further down the dominance chain. I hate people.(certain people. no one here tho.)