Planckendael Planckendael News thread

[lintworm]

The escape was because of a human error. The lion was shot dead after failed attempts to tranquilize the female. Contrary to earlier reports that the animal was confined in a keepers area, photos show her outside. Evacuation of staff and visitors went fine though, so nobody was at danger.

Leeuwin ontsnapt “door menselijke fout” in Planckendael: dier is doodgeschoten

 

[KevinB]

Totally disgusting and unacceptable incident that should never, ever have happened in a modern, responsible zoo, which until today I presumed Planckendael to be.

What I find especially revolting is that they re-opened the park pretty much the minute after the lioness had been shot and killed.

The person responsible for the "human error" that led to the escape should as far as I'm concerned not only be fired immediately, but also imprisoned for a long time for endangering public safety and animal abuse.

Planckendael should also in my opinion be closed at least for the duration of the investigation into this unacceptable incident, plus a period of punishment for it having happened. As far as I'm concerned even the definitive closure of Planckendael should be considered as a result of this.

This should not go unpunished.

Also because they have through this incident giving invaluable and crucial ammunition to the animal rights activists and the anti-zoo people. This could end up damaging all zoos greately. Another reason to call this an unforgiveable incident.

I in any case am totally shocked and revolted by this disgusting event at my local zoo, the zoo that I used to love and support. All of that ceases today. I will never, ever visit Planckendael again as a result of this. And any self-respecting zoo fan ought to also avoid the place like the plague.

 

[Vision]

@KevinB please keep your irrational and unrealistic views to yourself and go be hateful somewhere else (and with that I don't mean the other forum you've already posted this on).
Yes, this was a horrible incident and yes, the actions will (and should) have consequences, but this is not "revolting," not a reason to immediately fire the person responsible, and definitely no reason for an absurd closing of the zoo. Aren't we forgetting all the amazing things the zoo has accomplished with their other animals, among which the regular breeding of the rare species this happened to? Surely one mistake isn't enough to negate an entire history of conservation.

I'm not at all bothered you won't be visiting in the future, and I'm very glad you won't be the person having to deal with the legal aspects of this all, because what you're saying here is irrational and, frankly, ridiculous.

 

[Canihelpyou?]

Totally disgusting and unacceptable incident that should never, ever have happened in a modern, responsible zoo, which until today I presumed Planckendael to be.

What I find especially revolting is that they re-opened the park pretty much the minute after the lioness had been shot and killed.

The person responsible for the "human error" that led to the escape should as far as I'm concerned not only be fired immediately, but also imprisoned for a long time for endangering public safety and animal abuse.

Planckendael should also in my opinion be closed at least for the duration of the investigation into this unacceptable incident, plus a period of punishment for it having happened. As far as I'm concerned even the definitive closure of Planckendael should be considered as a result of this.

This should not go unpunished.

Also because they have through this incident giving invaluable and crucial ammunition to the animal rights activists and the anti-zoo people. This could end up damaging all zoos greately. Another reason to call this an unforgiveable incident.

I in any case am totally shocked and revolted by this disgusting event at my local zoo, the zoo that I used to love and support. All of that ceases today. I will never, ever visit Planckendael again as a result of this. And any self-respecting zoo fan ought to also avoid the place like the plague.

Well, lets be real, what would YOU have done in a situation where a lion has escaped?

 

[KevinB]

I'm not debating the fact that the lion was shot - which, given the circumstances, while very unfortunate and regrettable was a reasonable decision. However, the fact that the escape was allowed to happen in the first place AND the fact they re-opened as soon as the lion was dead, I find revolting and worthy of severe punishment for both the employee who let the lion escape and the park itself.

 

[Canihelpyou?]

I'm not debating the fact that the lion was shot - which, given the circumstances, while very unfortunate and regrettable was a reasonable decision. However, the fact that the escape was allowed to happen in the first place AND the fact they re-opened as soon as the lion was dead, I find revolting and worthy of severe punishment for both the employee who let the lion escape and the park itself.

I agree with that it shouldnt happen in the first place. It being shot was the only way at the time. However, firing the person responsible is kind of allot. Having a change to work in the industry is a blessing, you cant take that away due to a mistake. A ticket would be fine. Also closing down the park is a little extreme, isnt it?

 

[Mehdi]

@KevinB : Animals often escape from their exhibits, and I'm not just talking about smaller species; "dangerous" animals often escape as well. Should we then close ALL the zoos where said unfortunate events happened? That sounds ridiculous to me; personally.

 

[Brum]

Totally disgusting and unacceptable incident that should never, ever have happened in a modern, responsible zoo, which until today I presumed Planckendael to be.

What I find especially revolting is that they re-opened the park pretty much the minute after the lioness had been shot and killed.

The person responsible for the "human error" that led to the escape should as far as I'm concerned not only be fired immediately, but also imprisoned for a long time for endangering public safety and animal abuse.

Planckendael should also in my opinion be closed at least for the duration of the investigation into this unacceptable incident, plus a period of punishment for it having happened. As far as I'm concerned even the definitive closure of Planckendael should be considered as a result of this.

This should not go unpunished.

Also because they have through this incident giving invaluable and crucial ammunition to the animal rights activists and the anti-zoo people. This could end up damaging all zoos greately. Another reason to call this an unforgiveable incident.

I in any case am totally shocked and revolted by this disgusting event at my local zoo, the zoo that I used to love and support. All of that ceases today. I will never, ever visit Planckendael again as a result of this. And any self-respecting zoo fan ought to also avoid the place like the plague.

Why don't you tell us what you really think...

 

[KevinB]

I agree with that it shouldnt happen in the first place. It being shot was the only way at the time. However, firing the person responsible is kind of allot. Having a change to work in the industry is a blessing, you cant take that away due to a mistake. A ticket would be fine. Also closing down the park is a little extreme, isnt it?

I do not think that firing the keeper who caused the incident is over the top at all. There are mistakes that can be excused or be resolved with training, I agree, but mistakes that not only cost the life of an endangered animal, but also endangered the lives of dozens, even hundreds of people, cannot be given a pass or a second chance. A person who makes such a grave error should not be allowed to ever work with dangerous animals, or really any animals ever again. I do not find it unjust to take away this person's right to work in the animal industry forever. A ticket, a warning or re-education just will not do for this. This person should also be made to pay all the costs for the police intervention squad coming on site, the closing of the road, the school trips gone down the drain, the damages to the public image and visitor number of the park et cetera. I also still belief this person should be made to answer for their wrongful actions in front of a judge. Jail time would perhaps be over the top, but a severe fine as well as a life ban on working with or keeping animals would in my opinion be entirely justifiable, if not downright necessary as a signal to society and the zoo world.

Closing the park down forever would perhaps be too extreme, but I still think that the park should be closed temporarily until this incident has been thoroughly investigated, all staff have been re-educated on procedures and safety and measures have been taked to prevent a repeat. At this point I find there is a suggestion of incompetence and of visitor and public safety not being ensured, and until such can be restored, I do not find it responsible for the park to be open.

 

[lintworm]

I do not think that firing the keeper who caused the incident is over the top at all. There are mistakes that can be excused or be resolved with training, I agree, but mistakes that not only cost the life of an endangered animal, but also endangered the lives of dozens, even hundreds of people, cannot be given a pass or a second chance. A person who makes such a grave error should not be allowed to ever work with dangerous animals, or really any animals ever again. I do not find it unjust to take away this person's right to work in the animal industry forever. A ticket, a warning or re-education just will not do for this. This person should also be made to pay all the costs for the police intervention squad coming on site, the closing of the road, the school trips gone down the drain, the damages to the public image and visitor number of the park et cetera. I also still belief this person should be made to answer for their wrongful actions in front of a judge. Jail time would perhaps be over the top, but a severe fine as well as a life ban on working with or keeping animals would in my opinion be entirely justifiable, if not downright necessary as a signal to society and the zoo world.

Closing the park down forever would perhaps be too extreme, but I still think that the park should be closed temporarily until this incident has been thoroughly investigated, all staff have been re-educated on procedures and safety and measures have been taked to prevent a repeat. At this point I find there is a suggestion of incompetence and of visitor and public safety not being ensured, and until such can be restored, I do not find it responsible for the park to be open.

Do you really think that that will solve anything? The person who made this mistake has basically been punished enough today. All the protocols dealing with the escape worked perfectly fine and it was dealt with professionally. You can train endlessly, but human error can and will always happen. Protocols can only hope to minimize human error and given that this was the first large mammal escape (as far as I know), the protocols work.

 

[Shorts]

I do not think that firing the keeper who caused the incident is over the top at all. There are mistakes that can be excused or be resolved with training, I agree, but mistakes that not only cost the life of an endangered animal, but also endangered the lives of dozens, even hundreds of people, cannot be given a pass or a second chance. A person who makes such a grave error should not be allowed to ever work with dangerous animals, or really any animals ever again. I do not find it unjust to take away this person's right to work in the animal industry forever. A ticket, a warning or re-education just will not do for this.

Everybody makes mistakes (or are you perfect?) so we'd be hypocrites to be so militant before we know the full facts when someone slips up. Doctor's who kill patients in error don't typically lose their jobs because people realise they were trying their best. If you're never going to Planckendael again because of one mistake does that mean that you'd similarly boycott any doctor that had made an error -hope you don't get ill.

This person should also be made to pay all the costs for the police intervention squad coming on site, the closing of the road, the school trips gone down the drain, the damages to the public image and visitor number of the park et cetera. ..............................a severe fine.................... would in my opinion be entirely justifiable, if not downright necessary as a signal to society and the zoo world.

So you'd basically bankrupt the, possibly otherwise exemplary, keeper for a single mistake? No one but the very rich would ever want to risk being a keeper if one slip up could bankrupt you (it'd be like working with a Sword of Damocles" above your head).

 

[FBBird]

I'm not debating the fact that the lion was shot - which, given the circumstances, while very unfortunate and regrettable was a reasonable decision. However, the fact that the escape was allowed to happen in the first place AND the fact they re-opened as soon as the lion was dead, I find revolting and worthy of severe punishment for both the employee who let the lion escape and the park itself.

Mistakes happen in all walks of life. No reason to punish the zoo, or the individual, OR to be nasty about it.

 

[KevinB]

Do you really think that that will solve anything? The person who made this mistake has basically been punished enough today. All the protocols dealing with the escape worked perfectly fine and it was dealt with professionally. You can train endlessly, but human error can and will always happen. Protocols can only hope to minimize human error and given that this was the first large mammal escape (as far as I know), the protocols work.

I agree that the situation was dealt with the best way possible, although with a very unfortunate and undesirable, even if expectable outcome.

I also agree that the responsible person will already have been punished quite severely through what has happened, but I still find this person can no longer, nor can ever again be trusted to function correctly within Planckendael or within any dangerous animal enterprise.

In fact this was however not the first large mammal or predator escape in Planckendael. In 2005 two cheetahs walked out of their housing because a gate was wrongly left open. The two animals were back in their enclosure within half an hour without consequences.

I assume it's possible something similar happened today, although with sadly much more serious consequences.

In any case, I think the protocols should be thoroughly investigated and evaluated. I at this moment, despite agreeing that the lioness situation was dealt with well, feel I cannot trust Planckendael's protocols to be sufficient to ensure visitor safety and if I so desired I would not dare to visit the park at the current time.

I also still believe that the quite possibly irrevocable and unrepairable damage to Planckendael's reputation and image and the amount of ammunition this incident will give animal rights activists and zoo opponents, and the possibly innumerable resulting damage, warrant strong action against the keeper and against Planckendael.

Everybody makes mistakes (or are you perfect?) so we'd be hypocrites to be so militant before we know the full facts when someone slips up. Doctor's who kill patients in error don't typically lose their jobs because people realise they were trying their best. If you're never going to Planckendael again because of one mistake does that mean that you'd similarly boycott any doctor that had made an error -hope you don't get ill.

So you'd basically bankrupt the, possibly otherwise exemplary, keeper for a single mistake? No one but the very rich would ever want to risk being a keeper if one slip up could bankrupt you (it'd be like working with a Sword of Damocles" above your head).

Of course everyone makes mistakes. But not all mistakes are the same. And I believe that mistakes that put the lives of animals or people in jeopardy cannot be tolerated and should be dealt with strongly.

As far as the comparison with doctors and medical errors go: I think there is a great difference between doctors trying everything but failing to save a patient, doctors making non-deliberate errors in the stressful situations that can occur in medicine or having undesired side-effects to treatments and doctors deliberately or through negligence making preventable medical errors that lead to the death, serious injury or disability of a person. The latter category of doctors I most certainly do not want in the medical profession and I find are not dealt with harshly enough in society today.

There are different levels of slip-ups. Slip-ups that put the safety and lives of people, especially visitors, at risk cannot in my opinion be tolerated.

Keepers should be allowed to make mistakes, but they cannot be allowed to put people's lives at risk. That kind of mistakes should be dealt with in the most severe way: ejection from the keeper profession for life.

At this point I do not feel like I can trust Planckendael or its employees to ensure the safety and welfare of animals, employees and visitors. The mistake that happened today is so severe that I believe it warrants at least a temporary boycott.

Mistakes happen in all walks of life. No reason to punish the zoo, or the individual, OR to be nasty about it.

I admit I could have been more than a little less harsh about it, but I still believe that both the park and the responsible employee should face serious consequences for this incident.

 

[CGSwans]

i really do hope you don’t manage staff, Kevin.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Standard procedures were followed following the incident in this zoo in good (national and EAZA) standing. And whereas regrettable an unavoidable consequence of the situation. As for investigating the incident: they for definitely will do so and it may possibly have repercussions in future management of the species. That also is standard procedure.

Finally, your vilification of the local staff I find absolutely abhorrent and out of place. Do you really even begin to understand what the local staff felt at the time and the shock they are now under. I suggest you tone down your discourse somewhat in the light of what happened. Criticism and feedback are fine, but keep it in moderation please. Thank you.

 

[KevinB]

Earlier today two articles have been published in the Belgian and Dutch media, detailing the stories of the people who hid in the train car near the lion exhibit during the escape and of a Planckendael keeper. Both articles also mentioned the pain all of the negative, hateful and vile comments on social have caused the employees and fans of Planckendael.

I have now realized that the vindictive and vicious comments I posted here and at another site yesterday were totally out of proportion, uncalled for by the unfortunate events and completely out of bound. I should have been smarter, I should have known better than to post the repulsive things I did in the emotional heat of the moment. I should have thought about things better.

However, now the damage has been done and cannot ever be explained for or excused or be repaired or restituted for. The things I have said cannot be forgotten or forgiven.

I have gone too far and I should face the most severe consequences for this. I have therefore asked the staff to remove my account, to remove my posts and to completely ban me from this site forever.

I recognize I cannot ever be a normal, decent and valuable member of this community again so I should be removed.

I will also be putting further punishment on myself for the dumb things I did yesterday. I will be removing myself from any and all zoo-related websites and groups after today, I will be deleting all of my social media and I will get a life-long ban from Planckendael and Antwerp Zoo for this. I am even extremely seriously considering never going to any zoo again.

I offer my most sincere, but totally insufficient apologies for the damage I have caused to your site and the zoo community.

 

[Kakapo]

Dear Kevin,
I think that condemn Planckendael zoo in the way you did because of the heat of the moment, is so extreme as condemn yourself and ask to remove your account and ban yourself.

As well as the zoo deserves to have the chance of correct their errors for future situations and have already a very bad punishment with all the negative consequences in media, a person that realizes that he was wrong by some passionate comments deserves to have the chance of correct the errors for future situations and you already had very bad punishment with all the negative replies to you in this thread.

Personally I'm unable to not forgive a person that is sincerely regretful, having done whatever they had done.

You can leave this forum if you really want it, but I would ask that you think in it seriously and not acting just because of your passionate regretfulness. If you enjoy the forum (prior to the lion incident), you will miss it. If you was not banned already is because you didn't did something enough bad for be banned. By the way, everybody can have their opinion about anything.

but mistakes that not only cost the life of an endangered animal

P. D. Lion is not an endangered species

 

[CGSwans]

Earlier today two articles have been published in the Belgian and Dutch media, detailing the stories of the people who hid in the train car near the lion exhibit during the escape and of a Planckendael keeper. Both articles also mentioned the pain all of the negative, hateful and vile comments on social have caused the employees and fans of Planckendael.

I have now realized that the vindictive and vicious comments I posted here and at another site yesterday were totally out of proportion, uncalled for by the unfortunate events and completely out of bound. I should have been smarter, I should have known better than to post the repulsive things I did in the emotional heat of the moment. I should have thought about things better.

All very true. Good on you for self-reflecting.

However, now the damage has been done and cannot ever be explained for or excused or be repaired or restituted for. The things I have said cannot be forgotten or forgiven.

.I have gone too far and I should face the most severe consequences for this. I have therefore asked the staff to remove my account, to remove my posts and to completely ban me from this site forever.

I recognize I cannot ever be a normal, decent and valuable member of this community again so I should be removed.

Nonsense.

I will also be putting further punishment on myself for the dumb things I did yesterday. I will be removing myself from any and all zoo-related websites and groups after today, I will be deleting all of my social media and I will get a life-long ban from Planckendael and Antwerp Zoo for this. I am even extremely seriously considering never going to any zoo again.

Either you are taking the Mickey, or you have serious difficulty identifying a proportional, rational response to a given incident. This is silly.

I offer my most sincere, but totally insufficient apologies for the damage I have caused to your site and the zoo community.

Relax. You apologised. It’s over.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

I really do think you are overreacting here as there really is no need to leave this forum nor banish yourselves from entering a zoo forever more.

Just relax: you admitted to a misjudgement (really you will not be the first nor the last). Take a deep breath, get over it and get on with life.

 

[kiang]

Totally disgusting and unacceptable incident that should never, ever have happened in a modern, responsible zoo, which until today I presumed Planckendael to be.

What I find especially revolting is that they re-opened the park pretty much the minute after the lioness had been shot and killed.

The person responsible for the "human error" that led to the escape should as far as I'm concerned not only be fired immediately, but also imprisoned for a long time for endangering public safety and animal abuse.

Planckendael should also in my opinion be closed at least for the duration of the investigation into this unacceptable incident, plus a period of punishment for it having happened. As far as I'm concerned even the definitive closure of Planckendael should be considered as a result of this.

This should not go unpunished.

Also because they have through this incident giving invaluable and crucial ammunition to the animal rights activists and the anti-zoo people. This could end up damaging all zoos greately. Another reason to call this an unforgiveable incident.

I in any case am totally shocked and revolted by this disgusting event at my local zoo, the zoo that I used to love and support. All of that ceases today. I will never, ever visit Planckendael again as a result of this. And any self-respecting zoo fan ought to also avoid the place like the plague.

Your post is still up, if you feel that strongly, delete it or get a mod to delete it.
We all say things in the heat of the moment, you've got it out of your system, you've
reflected, move on.