Zoo liable for gorilla injuries

Rotterdam’s Blijdorp zoo is liable for the injuries caused when the silverback gorilla Bokito escaped from his enclosure and attacked a woman, a spokesman for the zoo said on Tuesday.


Bokito jumped the ditch separating his enclosure from the public on May 18, grabbed a woman and dragged her off.
The victim, 57-year-old Yvonne de Horde, suffered a broken wrist and lower arm, a crushed hand and dozens of bites. She had already said she would sue the zoo.
The decision on damage liability means she will receive compensation. How much will depend on the healing process and any permanent medical or psychological damage, compensation lawyer Maarten Tromp told ANP.
The decision also includes a second woman who broke her hip during the evacuation process that followed the gorilla’s escape. The zoo has already said it will pay for any property such as handbags and purses lost or damaged during the evacuation.
It is not yet clear how the decision will affect the Rotterdam family claiming criminal negligence. They allege that their 3-year-old son is still upset and suffering panic attacks as a result of the incident.

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