Calgary Zoo asks visitors to keep masking in gorilla building

The Calgary Zoo is asking visitors who enter the Rainforest building to continue wearing masks, even after the mask mandate lifts, to help protect the gorillas — especially one that is pregnant. 

Albertans could be allowed to be mask-free on March 1, which would leave the gorillas in a vulnerable position since they are not vaccinated.

"We know that gorillas are susceptible to COVID in the same way that people are. They're closely related to us," said Jamie Dorgan, director of animal care, health and welfare at the Calgary Zoo. 

Once the mask mandate has been lifted, visitors won't be required to wear a mask in other parts of the zoo.

So far, none of the gorillas at the Calgary Zoo have caught the virus; however, there have been outbreaks at other zoos around the world.

"We're concerned, of course, and been working very hard for two years to protect the gorillas, as well as other susceptible animals at the zoo, from contracting COVID from people. And we've been successful so far, so we just want to keep that up."

One gorilla, Dossi, is expected to give birth to her first baby sometime in April. 

 "We're very cautious. They don't always go well the first time," said Dorgan. 

"We are optimistic that things will go great. You know, she's doing well. Everything looks good."

Dossi, who is 21, is expecting an infant with a 23-year-old gorilla named Jasiri.

The last time a gorilla was successfully born at the zoo was in 2016. 

Protective measures

Drogan said they will have extra masks on hand in the Rainforest building for anyone who needs it. 

"We're asking people to support us in that and keep protecting them, because they can't be vaccinated right now. Hopefully, they will be soon and hopefully that'll help," said Drogan.

In a statement, the zoo said it is concerned about unknown airflow patterns in the Rainforest building, so the masks are an added protective measure.

The zoo has been watching all of the animals closely throughout the pandemic for any symptoms of COVID-19 and running fecal tests when needed. So far, there have been no positive tests, said Drogan. 

Happy to wear masks, say some visitors

Some visitors at the Calgary Zoo on Thursday, such as Janet Shewchuk and Brenda Rousseau, say they have no issue with wearing a mask in the Rainforest building.

"I think it's a great idea, anything to protect the animals," said Shewchuk.

"I agree. I think if there's any chance that we could, you know, by going maskless, could bring danger to her when she's expecting a baby, I think that's very important for us to do all we can to protect her," added Rousseau.

New mom Mary Lu, who has a five-month-old baby, echoed this.

"I have a little one myself and they can't get vaccinated either, so I'm totally OK with that."