Officials believe penguins were sent into panic at zoo which has seen several other accidents including an otter who died after becoming entangled in trousers 
 
 A Canadian zoo has launched an investigation into the deaths of seven penguins at the facility, which are believed to have drowned in a state of panic. 
 
 
 
 “It was obviously something we did not expect to find,” said Jamie Dorgan, the director of animal care for the Calgary Zoo. “It’s a very odd situation, very odd circumstances and nothing we’ve ever encountered before.” 
 
 The apparent drowning is the latest in a string of accidents and errors that have catapulted the zoo into the headlines in recent years. In February a 12-year-old otter died after becoming entangled in a pair of trousers that had been given to the otters as a gift by a zookeeper. The zoo said two staff members had been disciplined over the “unauthorized enrichment item”. 
 
 
 
 The deceased birds were Humboldt penguins which had been moved to a holding area earlier this week, after renovations on their habitat began. 
 
 Zookeepers checked in on the penguins on Wednesday afternoon. Early Thursday morning, one penguin was spotted floating lifelessly in the pool. After the pool was drained, another six lifeless penguins were found. 
 
 Necropsies showed that they had all drowned. The zoo believes something sent the birds into a state of panic. “We suspect there was some reason that they were in distress and stuck under the water, unable to surface and panicking under the water,” said Dorgan. 
 
 “They’re marine animals, they’re pretty adapted to being in water and they thrive in the water more than they do on land. So in order for a penguin to drown you would expect it would have to be some sort of panic, stress-type of situation that would lead to that.” 
 
 The incident is not the only unusual animal death at the zoo. In 2009, a staffer was suspended for two days without pay after a capybara – the world’s largest rodent – was crushed to death in a hydraulic door, while in 2007 a six-year-old hippo died less than 24 hours after being transferred from the Denver Zoo as part of an international breeding program. 
 
 One year later, 41 stingrays died in an interactive exhibit in which visitors were encouraged to touch the stingrays in the water. The zoo attributed the deaths to a lack of dissolved oxygen in the tank. 
 
 Dorgan said the deaths were unrelated. “Anytime that we have any deaths with different circumstances or things out of the ordinary, of course we’re going to look closely,” he said. “We don’t take anything like this lightly.” 
 
 The zoo, home to around 1,000 animals, has been working to continuously improve its processes, he added. “Anytime you have live animals, there’s going to be things that occur. We have humans looking after animals and just like humans doing anything, mistakes are going to happen.” 
 
 Zoo officials said they were working to minimise these errors, which led to one of the gorillas wielding a knife in 2009 after a zookeeper accidentally left it in its enclosure and a kitchen raid carried out by several gorillas in 2013 after the door to their enclosure was left open. 
 
 Some of the high-profile nature of these incidents can be attributed to the zoo’s policy of going public, Dorgan suggested. “The Calgary Zoo has an open transparency policy that most facilities like ours do not have,” he said. “It’s important to us that we make this stuff public and we share it with people so they can understand what does go on at a zoo.” ||||| (CNN) Zookeepers shot and killed a rare gorilla on Saturday after a 3-year-old boy slipped into its enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo, triggering outcry over how the situation was handled. 
 
 If they had to do it again, they would respond the same way, the zoo's director said Monday. 
 
 Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard said he stands by the decision to kill 17-year-old silverback Harambe to save the child. The boy went under a rail, through wires and over a moat wall to get into the enclosure, according to the zoo. Footage shot by a witness shows Harambe dragging the child through the water as the clamor of the crowd grows louder. 
 
 Zookeepers shot the 450-pound gorilla with a rifle, rather than tranquilizing him. The brief encounter sparked widespread Internet outrage over the decision to shoot Harambe and whether the child's parents were to blame for failing to look after him. 
 
 But those second-guessing the call "don't understand silverback gorillas," Maynard said in a news conference. And, they were not there when it was time to make the crucial decision. 
 
 "That child's life was in danger. People who question that don't understand you can't take a risk with a silverback gorilla -- this is a dangerous animal," he said. "Looking back, we'd make the same decision. The child is safe." 
 
 Tranquilizer darts can take 10-15 minutes to work -- @iamjeffcorwin weighs in on gorilla killed at Cincinnati zoo https://t.co/ctCTN3QRaB — New Day (@NewDay) May 30, 2016 
 
 'We made a difficult call' 
 
 The family was visiting the zoo on Saturday when the boy slipped away and entered the enclosure. Kimberley Ann Perkins O'Connor, who captured part of the incident on her phone, told CNN she overheard the boy joking to his mother about going into the water. Then, suddenly, there he was, being dragged by Harambe. 
 
 The unidentified boy was taken to Children's Hospital and released Saturday evening. The family thanked the zoo in a statement through a public relations firm: 
 
 "We are so thankful to the Lord that our child is safe. He is home and doing just fine. We extend our heartfelt thanks for the quick action by the Cincinnati Zoo staff. We know that this was a very difficult decision for them, and that they are grieving the loss of their gorilla. We hope that you will respect our privacy at this time." 
 
 Some suggested the boy's parents should be held criminally responsible for the incident. An online petition seeking "Justice for Harambe" earned more than 100,000 signatures in less than 48 hours. 
 
 "This beautiful gorilla lost his life because the boy's parents did not keep a closer watch on the child," the petition states. 
 
 If you leave your kid in a car you go to jail, if you let your kid fall into a Gorilla Enclosure u should too! #TeamDl — DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) May 30, 2016 
 
 It seems that some gorillas make better parents than some people. — Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) May 29, 2016 
 
 Cincinnati Police Lt. Stephen Saunders said he is "not aware of any intention to charge the mother" or "the parents" at this time. 
 
 Maynard refused to point fingers at the child's family. 
 
 "We had a very difficult situation and we made a difficult call at the end. I'm not here to point fingers about fault," he said. 
 
 "We live in the real world, we make real decisions. People and kids can climb over barriers. We work hard to make sure this zoo is safe. People can climb over barriers, that's what happened." 
 
 Well-wishers left flowers by the gorilla statue at the Cincinnati Zoo. 
 
 He also defended the enclosure barriers, saying the zoo has been inspected by both the USDA and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. He compared the scenario to a locked car that burglars find their way into if they try hard enough. 
 
 He also pointed out this was the first breach of the exhibit in 38 years of existence. 
 
 "The barriers are safe. They exceed any required protocols. The trouble with barriers, whatever the barrier is, some people get past it," he said. "The zoo is not negligent." 
 
 Questions over lethal shot 
 
 Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered in the wild, numbering fewer than 175,000, according to the zoo. An additional 765 gorillas dwell in zoos worldwide. 
 
 At first, it looked like Harambe was trying to help the boy, O'Connor said. The gorilla stood him up and pulled up his pants. However, as the crowd's clamors grew, Harambe tossed the boy into a corner of the moat and stood over him, O'Connor said. As the crowd's cries grew, the video shows Harambe grabbing the boy by the foot, dragged him through the water and out of the moat atop the habitat, O'Connor said. 
 
 JUST WATCHED Gorilla drags 4-year-old in shocking video Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Gorilla drags 4-year-old in shocking video 02:51 
 
 Moments later, Harambe was put down, a decision that left many wondering if the zoo was too quick to shoot. 
 
 Ian Redmond, chairman of The Gorilla Organization, said zookeepers had other options. 
 
 "When gorilla or other apes have things they shouldn't have, keepers will negotiate with them, bring food, their favorite treats, pineapple or some kind of fruit that they don't know and negotiate with them," he told CNN. 
 
 "I don't know if that was tried or people thought there was too much danger but it does seem very unfortunate that a lethal shot was required." 
 
 Maynard has said that tranquilizers may not have taken effect in time to save the boy while the dart might have agitated the animal, worsening the situation. Animal expert Jeff Corwin agreed that tranquilizers may have taken too long. 
 
 "... In some situations, depending on what the medication is, it can take upward to 10 to 15 minutes," Corwin said. "It may take multiple shots." 
 
 Many pointed out that a human life was at stake -- especially that of a child -- and that's more important than that of a gorilla. 
 
 @CNN it was the best decision that guaranteed the safety of the kid. You really want to risk a human life for a gorilla ? Stop it. — Danny (@Judge_No_1) May 30, 2016 
 
 Similar incidents, different endings 
 
 Although it was the first incident of its kind at Cincinnati Zoo's Gorilla World exhibit since it opened in 1978, similar cases have occurred with very different outcomes. 
 
 In 1986, a 5-year-old boy named Levan Merritt tumbled into the gorilla enclosure at Jersey Zoo in the United Kingdom. Video filmed by a bystander showed Levan lying on the ground, bleeding from the head and unconscious. 
 
 The footage shows Jambo, a male gorilla, approaching the boy as if to check on him, extending a hand to stroke his back. When Merritt comes to, wailing, Jambo, seemingly startled by the cries, sets off in a different direction. Zookeepers immediately move in to save the boy. 
 
 A decade later, a 3-year-old boy fell nearly 20 feet into the gorilla enclosure at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. 
 
 This time, a female gorilla named Binti Jua picked up the unconscious boy, while carrying her own infant on her back, and guarded him from other gorillas. 
 
 In an incredible show of maternal care, Binti took him right to a door so that zookeepers could retrieve him. 
 
 PETA: Captivity not acceptable 
 
 Although gorillas are known to be unpredictable -- not always the gentle giants the world saw in these two cases -- the animal advocacy group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said the larger concept of zoos is the root of the problem. 
 
 The animal rights organization said on Twitter the tragic episode was the latest proof that "even under the 'best' circumstances ... captivity is never acceptable for gorillas or other primates." 
 
 Others pointed out that in the end, the odds were stacked against the gorilla. 
 
 Humans imprison gorilla. Human enters gorilla prison. Gorilla gets shot dead for being near human. Humanity is a disease. — daniel (@13forests) May 30, 2016 
 
 Maynard said the zoo plans to reopen the exhibit to the public after a thorough assessment. 
 
 "The exhibit will be completely safe when it reopens." ||||| Those are some of the words the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden used Sunday in a contrite explanation for the death of Harambe, a 17-year-old western lowland gorilla killed on Saturday to save a boy who slipped into the zoo's habitat. 
 
 The boy was in "imminent danger," leaving the zoo's Dangerous Animal Response Team with no option but to shoot the 450-pound gorilla, zoo director Thane Maynard said in a statement on Facebook . Tranquilizers may not have taken effect in time to save the boy while the dart might have agitated the animal, worsening the situation, Maynard said. 
 
 "We are heartbroken about losing Harambe, but a child's life was in danger and a quick decision had to be made," he said. 
 
 The words did little to assuage an angry chorus of critics who believed the gorilla's death was unnecessary. Many blamed the boy's mother for failing to look after her son. Neither the boy nor his family have been identified. 
 
 Beautiful animals sadly paying for utter human stupidity and negligence with their lives.#Harambe #CincinnatiZoo pic.twitter.com/4wnkYH1TWn — Chris Dusauchoit (@DusauchoitChris) May 29, 2016 
 
 Some even suggested the boy's parents should be held criminally responsible for the incident. An online petition seeking "justice for Harambe" through criminal charges earned more than 8,000 signatures in less than 24 hours. 
 
 Others criticized the zoo for responding with what they felt was excessive force. Demonstrators gathered outside the zoo on Sunday calling for a boycott. 
 
 Protestors outside Cincinnati Zoo, demanding action for #Harambe, Gorilla shot after child fell in enclosure. @WLWT pic.twitter.com/DZNlP7AcZ7 — Tammy Mutasa (@TammyMutasaWLWT) May 29, 2016 
 
 "In mourning? You all killed him for protecting a child [whose] parents couldn't contain their own children!!" said one commenter on the zoo's Facebook page. 
 
 'Not a good scene' 
 
 The boy, 4, was released unhurt from a Cincinnati hospital Saturday and the zoo opened on Sunday. Gorilla World, home to nine western lowland gorillas, was closed. 
 
 The incident drew widespread attention as dramatic video spread across the Internet showing Harambe dragging the boy like a rag doll through the water across the habitat. 
 
 The boy climbed through a barrier and fell some 15 feet to a shallow moat in Harambe's enclosure, Maynard said. 
 
 Kimberley Ann Perkins O'Connor, who captured some of the incident on her phone, told CNN she overheard the boy joking to his mother about going into the water. 
 
 Suddenly, a splash drew the crowd's attention to the boy in the water. The crowd started screaming, drawing Harambe's attention to the boy, O'Connor said. 
 
 At first, it looked like Harambe was trying to help the boy, O'Connor said. He stood him up and pulled up his pants. 
 
 As the crowd's clamors grew, Harambe tossed the boy into a corner of the moat, O'Connor said, which is when she started filming. Harambe went over to the corner and shielded the boy with his body as the boy's mother yelled "Mommy's right here." 
 
 The crowd's cries appeared to agitate Harambe anew, O'Connor said, and the video shows him grabbing the boy by the foot. He dragged him through the water and out of the moat atop the habitat, O'Connor said. 
 
 By that point, "It was not a good scene," she said. When the boy tried to back away the gorilla "aggressively" pulled him back into his body "and really wasn't going to let him get away," she said. 
 
 O'Connor left before the shooting. When asked if the the barrier could be easily penetrated by a child, she said it would take some effort. 
 
 "Unfortunately, it was a bad situation where a 4-year-old didn't have the attention of his mother for seconds," she said. "I don't think it was as easy as standing up and falling in. He actually had to climb under something, through some bushes and then into the moat." 
 
 'Captivity is never acceptable' 
 
 The zoo defended its safety barriers, saying this is the first time Gorilla World has experienced a breach since the exhibit opened in 1978. The exhibit is inspected regularly by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and the United States Department of Agriculture, and adheres to safety guidelines, according to the zoo. 
 
 "The safety of our visitors and our animals is our No. 1 priority," Maynard said. "The barrier that we have in place has been effective for 38 years. Nevertheless, we will study this incident as we work toward continuous improvement for the safety of our visitors and animals." 
 
 Zoo officials said the incident lasted about 10 minutes. According to a Cincinnati Fire Department incident report, the gorilla was violently dragging and throwing the child, leading the zoo's emergency responders to decide to put the gorilla down "to save the child," the zoo said. The response team includes full-time keepers, veterinarians, maintenance workers, zoo leadership and security staff. All members are trained and certified annually by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. 
 
 The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said on Twitter the tragic episode was the latest proof that "captivity is never acceptable for gorillas or other primates." Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered in the wild, numbering fewer than 175,000, according to the zoo. An additional 765 gorillas dwell in zoos worldwide. 
 
 1/4 Yet again, captivity has taken an animal's life. The enclosure should have been surrounded by a secondary barrier to prevent this. — PETA (@peta) May 29, 2016 
 
 2/4 Gorillas have shown that they can be protective of smaller living beings & react the same way any human would to a child in danger. — PETA (@peta) May 29, 2016 
 
 3/4 Even under the "best" circumstances, captivity is never acceptable for gorillas or other primates & in cases like this it's even deadly. — PETA (@peta) May 29, 2016 
 
 4/4 This tragedy is exactly why PETA urges families to stay away from any facility that displays animals as sideshows for humans to gawk at. — PETA (@peta) May 29, 2016 
 
 The zoo had its share of defenders and supporters, who weighed in on Facebook acknowledging the difficulty of its decision. 
 
 "I know that was a tough decision for the zoo to make," one commenter said. "Now if that child was killed because they (the zoo) didn't do anything then everyone would be up in arms." 
 
 As another person said, "My heart goes out to all of the Zoo Family at this time. I am well aware of how difficult the decision was and it could not have been an easy one for the Zoo's Animal Response Team especially as the staff at the Zoo goes above and beyond providing compassionate care for all the animals entrusted to them. 
 
 "It is unfortunate that to save the life of a child, an animal had to be sacrificed. Thank you to all the Zoo Staff for all you do for the animals. Wishing you peace."
– By now, everyone should know not to get too close to hippos in the wild or in captivity, but a California man didn't get the memo. Officials at the Los Angeles Zoo tell the Los Angeles Times they've recruited the LAPD to help look for a most unusual sort of trespasser: a man caught on tape scaling a barrier and slapping one of two hippos in the pen below. The now-viral video, recorded from the other side of the enclosure by what sounds to be a young woman, shows the man slowly climbing over a railing, then reaching down to slap the butt of 4-year-old Rosie, who appeared to be snacking alongside her mother, Mara. Mara looks up briefly, and the person shooting the video can be heard giggling as the man lifts his arms up in an apparent victory stretch and runs off. But zoo officials warn that what happened was anything but funny. "Any unauthorized interaction with an animal is unsafe for the animal and potentially unsafe for the patron," a zoo spokeswoman says, noting something like this also breaks down the animals' trust that zookeepers have worked so hard to instill. The BBC notes hippos are responsible for more human deaths in Africa than any other big animal. The suspect could be hit with a misdemeanor charge or other infraction—California law bars anyone from climbing into zoo enclosures—but the case is being investigated as a trespassing violation, not an animal cruelty one, as the animals didn't seem particularly fazed by the incident.