Some primates are just escape artists. They are very smart. Some just get a kick out of getting out for the day its not always that they do not like their enclosures. I can't speak for the Jersey Zoo but most every accredited Zoo (including ours) is leaning towards more natural looking enclosures that suit the animals needs best. Our chimp exhibit is large and beautiful with a huge waterfall and places they can hide from the public if they wish. Only they really love watching people and get a kick out of the public. Especially the kids!
One of our females has gotten out of the exhibit a few times and seems to enjoy teasing the troop and showing off that she got out. She always ends up going back in herself (it is their home and territory afterall). Shes a sweetie though. Loves her keepers. We have had a gorilla escape too but was successfully tranquilized when she wandered into the bathroom. We've had smaller monkeys escape when keepers accidentally left access doors open (human error!) and they will spend a night or 2 in the surrounding trees but again, always come back to their enclosure where they feel safe and secure.
The best thing to do if any animal escapes a zoo is to leave quickly or find the nearest building and barricade yourself in it. Chances are the animal is not really interested in you and will be frightened of you. I find it pretty predictable that the gorilla at the dutch zoo went straight for the cafeteria. Probably smelled pretty good to him. "What do you serve a 400 lb gorilla? Anything he wants!"
I hope the lady was not hurt too bad. She was lucky cause it would not take much for him to have killed her they are so friggin strong.
One of our females has gotten out of the exhibit a few times and seems to enjoy teasing the troop and showing off that she got out. She always ends up going back in herself (it is their home and territory afterall). Shes a sweetie though. Loves her keepers. We have had a gorilla escape too but was successfully tranquilized when she wandered into the bathroom. We've had smaller monkeys escape when keepers accidentally left access doors open (human error!) and they will spend a night or 2 in the surrounding trees but again, always come back to their enclosure where they feel safe and secure.
The best thing to do if any animal escapes a zoo is to leave quickly or find the nearest building and barricade yourself in it. Chances are the animal is not really interested in you and will be frightened of you. I find it pretty predictable that the gorilla at the dutch zoo went straight for the cafeteria. Probably smelled pretty good to him. "What do you serve a 400 lb gorilla? Anything he wants!"
I hope the lady was not hurt too bad. She was lucky cause it would not take much for him to have killed her they are so friggin strong.
