Fugitive Chimp Shot Dead At English Zoo

Zoo Says Killing Escape Animal Is Standard Procedure

(AP)  A runaway chimp was shot dead after breaking out of his enclosure at an English zoo, his keepers said.

Chimpanzees Jonnie and Coco broke out of their compound Friday at the Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, about 35 miles north of London. The Zoological Society of London, which runs the zoo, said Coco was recaptured, but Jonnie could not immediately be caught and had to be killed.

Jonnie was still in the zoo at the time he was shot, said Christine Drabwell, a press officer at the Whipsnade Zoo. Officials declined to say how long he'd been free, saying an investigation was pending.

"It's just standard procedure, if the animal cannot be quickly and safely recaptured it will be shot," ZSL spokeswoman Alice Henchley said.

When asked why the chimps weren't shot with a tranquilizer gun or in another non-lethal manner, a zoo spokeswoman said that under their procedures, they have to shoot to kill when they have an animal who might be of danger to the public.

"We can't be sure with a tranquilizer," said the spokeswoman for the zoo who spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with the organization's policy. "It doesn't work quickly enough."

Jonnie, an adult male, was gunned down by the zoo's specially trained firearms squad, Henchley said. She added that Jonnie and Coco's keepers were still trying to figure out how the apes escaped.

[cindyln-2009]

This is very sad and unfortunate, but damned if you do...damned if you don''t...right? The safety of the public is what these guys have in mind.

[sevenveils]

And this is a country where gun ownership is illegal! What an OUTRAGE! The animal was still on zoo property! Nope, can''t shoot a tranquilizer dart at it or try to coax it back to its cage! Nope, what happened to the chimp is a sign of what will happen to dissidents, peaceful or otherwise, in Britain!

[yohnvilson]

Riiiight. Some chimps hurt another guy in a different place under different circumstances. Therefore this one deserved to be shot.

Couldn''t they have shot it with a tranquilizer while also pointing a regular gun at it as a backup in *case* it got violent? Plus, I''ll bet tasers work great on chimps. What happened is disgusting.

Obligatory Simpsons quote: "You are charged with one count of being a bear."

[house015]

If I was at the zoo with my kids and an escaped chimpanzee was coming at us, I''d be perfectly fine with deadly force. Chimpanzees are amazing creatures, however, they can easily kill an adult because of a movement or expression they perceive as dangerous. Does anyone remember that poor guy visiting a chimp he had helped rescue who was partially eaten by two other chimps that escaped?? He tried to save his wife from attack and ended up on life support. So, ha-ha with the liberal jokes, guys. Aren''t you clever.

[drinuk]

Charlton Heston would have done just that. Knowing the UK policy on immigrants, I''m surprised they shot him, normally he would have been given a three bedroom house, fully furnished, a car allowance and $200 a week for food. This shooting maybe a subtle policy change.

[prinzowhales]

My God! They got ''W''!!???