Conservationists are calling for an urgent inquiry after a male gorilla escaped from its enclosure at London Zoo. Kumbuka, a 29-stone gorilla, broke free for at least 90 minutes yesterday, forcing staff to lock visitors in safe areas. The 18-year-old male only went as far as the secure keepers’ area but the Born Free Foundation, which wants to see zoos phased out, said that the situation “could have ended very differently”. The organisation has called on the Zoos Expert Committee, the government’s advisory body, to investigate the welfare of great apes in zoos across the UK. Chris Draper, the foundation’s…

Source: The Times October 14, 2016 10:52 UTC