Europe

Rotterdam zoo liable for injury, damage caused by gorilla

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-06-13 01:01

Rotterdam zoo is to be held liable for the damages caused when a gorilla escaped from his habitat last month and attacked a woman, a zoo spokesperson said Tuesday.

This was determined by the zoo's insurance company, the spokesperson added.

The 400-pound (180-kilogram) male gorilla jumped over a moat almost four meters wide and escaped from its habitat on May 18. It dragged a 57 year-old woman and bit her, causing her serious injury.

The victim, Zoetermeer resident Yvonne de Horde, filed a lawsuit against the zoo. The zoo's acknowledgment of liability means that the woman will be eligible to receive compensation for damages.

How much that will be is still uncertain, Rotterdam injury lawyer Maarten Tromp said, as it will depend partly on her recovery process and any permanent physical or emotional damage.

The woman, a regular visitor to the zoo, had several broken bones, a shattered hand and more than 100 bites all over her body. She has also suffered emotionally.

Another woman whose hip was broken as a result of the gorilla's escape can also expect compensation. It was announced earlier that the zoo would compensate others whose wallets and bags were lost in the chaos that ensued.

Unlike the other visitors who are filing for damages, a Rotterdam family filed a criminal lawsuit against the Blijdorp Zoo. They accused the zoo of negligence and wanted a criminal investigation into the incident.

The public prosecution department is looking into whether a criminal investigation will be launched.

Officials of the zoo said last month the woman may had inadvertently caused the unfortunate incident by making eye contact with the animal. The gorilla probably perceived the eye contact as a threatening gesture and became aggressive.