Worker wears gorilla suit and is shot with tranquilliser dart at Loro Parque Zoo

Jun 5, 2014 - 14:10
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Worker wears gorilla suit and is shot with tranquilliser dart at Loro Parque Zoo
Moving target ... perhaps the Loro Parque zoo employee should have considered a safety vest. Source: News Limited

A VET has shot a tranquilliser dart into a zoo employee dressed as a gorilla in a case of mistaken identity.

The 35-year-old zoo worker was shot on Monday at Tenerife"s Loro Parque Zoo, the MailOnline reports.

Staff at the zoo were performing an emergency drill to practice procedures in the event of an escape when the incident occurred. The vet had not been told the exercise was taking place and shot the man with tranquilliser sufficient to down a 180kg gorilla. The worker suffered an allergic reaction to the narcotic and was taken to hospital, Spanish language newspaper La Opinion de Tenerife reports .

Zoo staff told MailOnline an alarm was set off as part of the simulation, and "one keeper in the wild mammals team was accidentally struck by the medical tranquilliser that vets use in these instances.”

They added that the worker has "recovered and is now in good health”.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.