Every few years, the Dallas Zoo loses control of one of its big critters. Today’s gorilla escape was an internal affair because Tufani didn’t get very far and the media is quick to point out that “the public was never in any danger”. Funny, no matter the circumstances, I’ll bet they put a different spin on that if Tufani was privately owned and wasn’t EXACTLY where she was supposed to be.
“Zoo personnel are unsure when Tufani escaped…” Hmmm.
Back in March of 2004, “Jabari ran through the zoo for about 40 minutes, mauling three patrons before he was killed.” Actually, it was 4 people who were injured (that we know of) before Jabari was shot dead by police.
“After Jabari’s escape in 2004, the zoo closed its gorilla exhibit for two years to undergo several million dollars in upgrades, including higher walls, enhanced electrical wires, installation of large boulders to prevent the animals from getting a running start, and enhanced monitoring by digital video camera.” “Tufani escaped from the 40-foot-by-50-foot enclosure and had climbed to the top of the cage when the keeper saw her.”
“Saturday’s escape wasn’t anything like the 2004 attack, which garnered worldwide attention.” Oh, I think it was indeed. Seems pretty clear that it wasn’t the upgrades and cameras but just plain dumb luck that you guys realized she was out. If she’d chosen a different course, it could have been every bit as bad or worse because you already admit you don’t know how long she was out.
“Hudson said employees put the zoo’s emergency plan into action and quickly resolved the situation.” But again, only because you lucked into knowing she was out.
Oh, and there was another gorilla escape back a few years before Jabari. “In 1998, a zookeeper was injured by a 340-pound gorilla after a cage door was left open. The zookeeper suffered more than 30 puncture wounds.”
And just a couple of days ago, a Chimp attacked a long term volunteer at a Palm Harbor sanctuary.
It seems we hear of one of these incidences at zoos or “rescue” facilities every few days now but it’s much more rare to hear about the ones with privately owned animals. I’m sure that the zoos and rescuers would claim that’s from any number of underlying factors but I think there’s a simple and straight forward reason – personal responsibility.
When a zoo or rescued animal escapes, it escapes from a corporate entity that may be fined but that’s about it; no ONE human is going to be held accountable in any real way. On the other hand, if a privately owned animal escapes, there are instant calls to tar, feather, and jail them; to seize all their animals; to prohibit them from ever owning anything, not even a mouse.
Sure leads me to believe that the private owners do a better job of protecting public safety than zoos and sanctuaries. Neither of them protects public safety as “job one” like the guy from Dallas was saying on TV tonight. They protect public safety because of the potential consequences to themselves and, plain and simple, the stakes are higher for private owners so they get the job done better.
I have no idea what the numbers are but I’d be willing to bet there are far more potentially dangerous animals in private hands than in NPO (zoos, rescues, sanctuaries, etc.) hands.