Baby gorilla dies at zoo after being trapped under door

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Zoo says the youngest of its gorillas has died from injuries she suffered when she bolted under a hydraulic door that was being closed.

Zoo spokeswoman Abbie Tuller said the accident involving the 15-month-old female western lowland gorilla named Kabibe happened after closing hours Friday as workers were moving animals into their nighttime enclosures.

Tuller described the mishap as tragic and extremely rare, saying that animal safety is the zoo’s chief priority. She says members of the primate staff cared for Kabibe, whose name means “little lady” in Swahili, around the clock for months after she developed eating problems as an infant.

Executive Director Tanya Peterson says the zoo is investigating what happened and will see if any policy or training changes are needed.

The gorilla preserve at the zoo is still open for public viewing.