Current:Home > My2 chimpanzees who escaped from Colombia zoo killed by police-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
2 chimpanzees who escaped from Colombia zoo killed by police
View Date:2024-12-25 10:23:09
Two popular chimpanzees who escaped from a zoo in Colombia, including one who ran away over 15 years ago, were shot dead on Monday, police said. Authorities defended shooting one of the animals by saying it had to be done to protect a zookeeper's life.
The immensely powerful primates escaped on Sunday night from the Ukumari Biopark in the western city of Pereira, prompting a warning to residents to stay indoors.
Several hours into the escape, police said they found the male chimp Pancho about 1.5 miles from the zoo, alone.
He was shot after he appeared to lunge for a zookeeper among the rescue team, police official Alexandra Diaz told local outlet Blu Radio.
"There was an imminent need to act to safeguard the life of the park official," said Diaz, who added that an order had been issued to shoot in case of an attack, rather than using tranquilizer darts.
Chita, a female who had escaped with Pancho, was killed near the park, said Diaz, without providing further details.
Army Lt. Carlos Salas told Agence France-Presse the animals were killed "despite the efforts made by the biopark to use tranquilizer darts to subdue them."
The park in a statement lamented the loss of two animals that "stole the heart of all visitors."
The chimps escaped due to human error, zoo manager Sandra Correa said at a news conference.
Pancho had previously escaped from captivity in 2007, causing havoc at the Pereira airport and grounding air traffic for several hours.
He had arrived at the zoo that year after being donated by a circus, after a law came into effect banning working with chimps in such contexts.
"He was very intelligent, he knew how to open locks, doors," Raul Gasca, one of the circus owners, recalled in an interview with Blu Radio.
Gasca said that Pancho was born in a zoo in Cuba and was 22 or 23 years old. Apes of this species typically live for around 50 years.
"It is a very dangerous animal because when they grow up they are very dangerous ... A male chimpanzee when it bristles and stands tall is very powerful," he told Blu Radio.
Animal rights groups have asked for a criminal investigation into the deaths.
- In:
- Colombia
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Man waives jury trial in killing of Georgia nursing student
- Lawyers for woman accusing Dani Alves of sexual assault seek maximum 12-year sentence for player
- ‘Widespread’ sexual and gender-based crimes committed during Hamas attack, Israeli officials say
- Florida discontinues manatee winter feeding program after seagrass conditions improve
- Katherine Schwarzenegger Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Pratt
- FBI chief makes fresh pitch for spy program renewal and says it’d be ‘devastating’ if it lapsed
- Divers map 2-mile trail of scattered relics and treasure from legendary shipwreck Maravillas
- Tyler Goodson, Alabama man who shot to fame with S-Town podcast, killed by police during standoff, authorities say
- Top Federal Reserve official defends central bank’s independence in wake of Trump win
- Sabrina Carpenter and Saltburn Actor Barry Keoghan Step Out for Dinner Together in Los Angeles
Ranking
- Tesla issues 6th Cybertruck recall this year, with over 2,400 vehicles affected
- James Cameron on Ridley Scott's genius, plant-based diets and reissuing 6 of his top films
- Liz Cheney, focused on stopping Trump, hasn't ruled out 3rd-party presidential run
- 2 plead guilty in fire at Atlanta Wendy’s restaurant during protest after Rayshard Brooks killing
- Disruptions to Amtrak service continue after fire near tracks in New York City
- Memorials to victims of Maine’s deadliest mass shootings to be displayed at museum
- RHOC Alum Alexis Bellino Is Dating Shannon Beador's Ex John Janssen
- Adam Johnson Death: International Ice Hockey Federation Announces Safety Mandate After Tragedy
Recommendation
-
Surfer Bethany Hamilton Makes Masked Singer Debut After 3-Year-Old Nephew’s Tragic Death
-
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree goes to No. 1 — after 65 years
-
State officials review mistaken payments sent by Kentucky tornado relief fund
-
Which four Republicans will be on stage for the fourth presidential debate?
-
Quincy Jones' cause of death revealed: Reports
-
Video shows Alabama police officer using stun gun against handcuffed man
-
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai urges world to confront Taliban’s ‘gender apartheid’ against women
-
Las Vegas teen arrested after he threatened 'lone wolf' terrorist attack, police say