Zoo Hopes to Put Gorilla Back on Display

Las Vegas Sun ^ | 10/23/03 | AP

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

BOSTON (AP) - Zoo officials said they hope to put a 300-pound gorilla back on display once they are assured he can't escape again.

The gorilla, known as Little Joe, escaped from his enclosure Sept. 28 for the second time in two months, and injured a toddler and teenager while on the loose.

He roamed through the Franklin Park Zoo and along streets for nearly two hours before being sedated with tranquilizer darts.

The neighborhood's safety "is paramount to us," said Zoo New England CEO and President John Linehan, according to the Boston Herald.

After the incident, zoo officials consulted experts who have recommended changes to the habitat that holds the zoo's six gorillas.

Possible changes include beefing up the exhibit's electrified wire system, adding rocks to form a better barrier and installing video cameras with an alert to staffers if a gorilla passes a fixed point, Linehan said.

Any changes must be approved by city officials and police. Until then, the gorillas will remain in a series of holding rooms, Linehan said.

[PoorMuttly]

Muttly want series holding rooms.

Ha! I'm first.

You're "it."

[Consort]

Put it in an escape-proof cage and back on display. Next thread.

[SJSAMPLE]

It's a good thing that happened in Tax-achusetts. Here in Indiana, or any other CCW state, and everybody in the downtown area would be big game hunting with their Glock.

[Molesworth]

Similar incident years ago at DC Zoo. A Barbary Ape took a flying leap off "Monkey Island," sailed over the moat onto a baby carriage (no injuries there) and took off running. He was captured across the street at the Zoo Bar some hours later and returned. Not surprisingly, that exhibit was cancelled.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Taxidermy!

[Lee Heggy]

Is this story related in any way to the other one about the fat guy who was stiffed a job at McDonalds?

[Living Free in NH]

I'll bet METCO students won't be going there for field trips any time soon.