Gorilla Shot Dead at Cincinnati Zoo After Child Climbs Enclosure
The Cincinnati Zoo just experienced the loss of one of their beloved animals after a tragic incident this weekend.
The zoo's 17-year-old gorilla was shot dead after it grabbed a child that fell into the enclosure. Reports stated that a 4-year-old boy climbed the railing of the Gorilla World exhibit. He made it through the wires and fell into the enclosure. Some of the passerbys took videos of the gorilla as it grabbed hold of the young boy.
The Chief of the Cincinnati Fire Department, Marc Monahan explained that some people witnessed the gorilla violently dragging the child. One of the Cincinnati Zoo employee shot the gorilla with a long rifle in order to save the child. After that, they got a hold of the child and was brought to Cincinnati Children's Hospital. It was reported that he received serious injuries.
The statement explained that he was conscious throughout the whole incident. With that, he is expected to make a quick recovery.
Meanwhile, the gorilla that died, whose name was Harambe, was a 400 pound male Western lowland silverback, which are endangered species. It was reported that the gorilla did not attack the child, though its strength in handling the child caused some injuries. In lieu of the accident, the gorila exhibit is closed until further notice.
According to NBC News, Zoo Director Thayne Maynard explained, "The zoo's in the business of taking care of endangered animals, and we don't want to be in the situation in which they have to be killed. But all sorts of things could happen in a situation like that. The Zoo security team's quick response saved the child's life."
Maynard also apologized to the family involved as well as the gorilla population. He said, "We are all devastated that this tragic accident resulted in the death of a critically-endangered gorilla. This is a huge loss for the Zoo family and the gorilla population worldwide."
