GORILLAS IN THE MIDST: European association planning to kill adult male gorillas to alleviate zoo overcrowding
I’d ask why any zoo is able to breed so many gorillas that killing is even considered necessary. Do we kill the babies or old animals or excess males? These are social, sentient and cultured animals. We do not have the right to treat them as surplus stock in this way.
HELENA HORTON: Campaigners are hitting back at zoo proposals to cull adult male gorillas, arguing they should be returned to the wild instead. Overcrowding of critically endangered western lowland gorillas in zoos has led the influential European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (Eaza) to consider killing adult males of the species. Eaza is the body that regulates most of the zoos in Europe.
Western lowland gorillas are the smallest of the four gorilla subspecies, standing at 4 to 6 feet (122cm to 183cm) when upright… A western lowland gorilla logged an IQ score between 70 and 90, which isn’t far off the 85 to 115 usually logged by humans. [Ed: This article was amended on 29 November 2021 to remove a gorilla-human IQ comparison. Why?]…
In the wild they are critically endangered. The exact number of western lowland gorillas is not known because they inhabit some of the most dense and remote rainforests in Africa. Because of poaching and disease, the gorilla’s numbers have declined by more than 60% over the last 20 to 25 years.
Leaked documents… reveal that culling, castration and keeping adult single males in solitary confinement for a large portion of their lives are seen as potential solutions to an overpopulation of the species in zoos. The gorilla population in Eaza zoos consists of 463 individuals (212 males, 250 females and one of unknown sex) at 69 institutions…
The gorilla action plan, released to stakeholders in zoos, admits that culling would be “the most appropriate tool if strictly talking from the biological point of view,” but that the decision could be unpopular with the public.
The document reads: “The main downside of this option is that it is controversial in many countries and in some illegal, in specific circumstances. Any discussion on culling can quickly become an emotional one because it is easy to empathise with gorillas. This carries a high risk that an emotional response by the public and/or zoo staff and keepers, catalysed by social media, inflicts damage to zoos and aquariums”…
Conservationist and rewilder Damian Aspinall, who runs wildlife parks in Kent, is working with Carrie Johnson to draw attention to the plight of animals in zoos. He believes these gorillas should be returned to the wild rather than culled. He said: “It’s a sad day for the zoological community when they are considering culling gorillas when there is a great opportunity to re wild gorillas like the Aspinall Foundation has done for 30 years, having rewilded over 70 gorillas”…
Dr Ben Garrod, a primatologist and professor of evolutionary biology and science engagement at the University of East Anglia, said… “I’d ask why any zoo is able to breed so many gorillas that a cull is even considered necessary. Do we cull the babies or old animals or excess males? These are social, sentient and cultured animals. We do not have the right to treat them as surplus stock in this way. To breed animals like this without a sustainable and ethical outcome is reckless to say the least, and needs to be addressed.”
Gorilla expert and BBC presenter Ian Redmond said he was shocked by the suggestions. He said: “In my view, it is wrong on many levels to castrate or kill a healthy gorilla for human convenience. Not only is the western lowland gorilla a critically endangered species, protected by national and international law, all great apes are autonomous beings who deserve our respect…
Virginia McKenna OBE, co-founder of Born Free Foundation, the international wild animal charity, called for an investigation into the zoo body and said: “Like me, I am sure millions of people will reject Eaza’s conservation and animal welfare claims, and join Born Free in calling for a full, independent investigation into the way Eaza zoos are run, their zoo-based captive breeding programmes, and the brutal and potentially terminal consequences for many of the animals involved”…
A spokesperson for Eaza admitted that culling was part of their gorilla management plan, but that under suitable conditions, they might support rewilding of the primates… A spokesperson for Eaza admitted that culling was part of their gorilla management plan, but that under suitable conditions, they might support rewilding of the primates. SOURCE…
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