Human error caused chaos at the Kansas City Zoo

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Zoo officials said on Monday they are questioning workers about Sunday's incident at the zoo where two gorillas got loose from their enclosure.

The two male apes were in a holding area. Zoo officials said zoo keepers didn't lock the area, causing the gorillas to wander around the staff building.

"There is a safety door that kept them from getting to the public outside," said zoo director Randy Whistoff.

Whistoff said the workers, who were forced to escape from the enclosure, face disciplinary action.

"We take this very seriously; the people will, they know they made an error, nobody feels worse than they do, but we will follow through with disciplinary action," said Whistoff.

Whistoff said workers use a standard padlock to secure the animal areas, but that might be changing.

"That's what we are questioning now, are there other means of locking or having alarms we don't know of any zoo that has that sort of protection built into an animal exhibit," said Whistoff.

The gorillas were checked by veterinarians on Monday morning. Zoo officials said the animals were in good health.