How ‘psycho’ gorilla Kumbuka escaped through TWO unlocked doors and downed FIVE litres of squash in dramatic London Zoo rampage
Keeper spoke in a 'lighthearted tone' to calm the rampaging ape - who downed 5 litres of neat blackcurrant squash in staff area
A ZOOKEEPER came face to face with “psycho” 7ft gorilla Kumbuka after he escaped through a door that was accidentally left open, a London Zoo boss has revealed.
The calm keeper spoke to the 29st silverback in a "lighthearted tone" and edged away to safety - before the thirsty ape glugged down FIVE LITRES of undiluted blackcurrant squash.
The dramatic details were revealed by zoological director Professor David Field in a on the escape of 18-year-old Kumbuka last week.
It sparked panic as visitors were shut indoors while armed cops and zoo staff were seen roaming the Regent's Park attraction and a helicopter circled overhead.
Shortly before the escape drama Kumbuka had been filmed smashing himself into a glass barrier after being taunted by visitors who ignored warnings not to look him in the eye.
Today Prof Field confirmed the ape did not smash his way out - but simply walked through an unlocked door when he was called in for his evening meal.
He said: "I can certainly tell you that there were no broken locks, Kumbuka did not smash any windows, he was never ‘on the loose’, and his normal gorilla posturing reported by visitors earlier in the day was unrelated to the incident.
"Unfortunately the door to his den had not been properly secured and a secondary security door had not yet been locked.
"We’ve since established that Kumbuka made an opportunistic escape from his unlocked den into the staff-only service corridor where a zookeeper was working.
"Thanks to the incredibly close bond and relationship shared by the zookeeper and Kumbuka, the zookeeper was able to continually reassure Kumbuka, talking to him calmly and in the same lighthearted tone he would always use, as he removed himself from the area."
He went on: "Staff raised the alarm that triggered our standard escape response, while Kumbuka briefly explored the zookeeper area next door to his den, where he opened and drank five litres of undiluted blackcurrant squash.
"Kumbuka was immediately contained in the non-public area by quick-thinking zookeepers responding to the alarm, where he was tranquillised and moved back into his den."
Prof Field claimed the incident was "less dramatic than some would have you believe" and said Kumbuka was safely back in his home within two hours "snacking on treats, and probably wondering what all the fuss was about".
Zoo chiefs investigating the escape are looking at how an experienced keeper failed to shut the two enclosure doors.
Prof Field said: "We know that humans sometimes make mistakes, but these are rare.
"We also know that automating every security system poses a greater risk of mechanical failure, and could lead to an over-reliance on technology that will create the kind of complacency that has no place here.
"We will continue to work with our keeping teams to identify any adjustments or modifications that can help avoid any repeat mistake in future, but ultimately our trust in our people is not shaken."
The Sun told how Kumbuka — branded a “f****** psycho” by one zoo worker — was shot by keepers using tranquilliser darts 90 minutes after escaping.
It is understood that zoo keepers gave him chocolate cookies while calming him down and monitoring his behaviour overnight.
RELATED STORIES
The £5.3million Gorilla Kingdom was in lockdown the following day as workmen boarded up a cracked glass panel and covered it with rainforest prints.
Kumbuka was soon back on display as the gorilla enclosure reopened to the public
Eighteen-year-old Kumbuka was seen sitting in a hammock chomping on some fresh green leaves.
Harry McDonnell, 13, who had been on a school trip from Reading, told how some of his classmates had taunted the gorilla two hours before its escape.
He said: “It was kind of clear that the gorilla wasn’t happy. I think a few of the students were taunting it by banging on their chests.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368