This weekend the Cincinnati Zoo made headlines after a small three-year old boy fell into an animal enclosure Sunday [May 29, 2016] where an endangered western lowland silverback gorilla was shot and killed for fear that the young boy’s life was in danger.
While zoo officials explained that this was the only option due to the young child’s life and the delayed effects of tranquilizers, the zoo is facing backlash as many argue that the act was unjustified.
Videos of the moments in which the young boy was in the enclosure were caught on tape as the gorilla cold be seen dragging and throwing the child at terrifying speeds. In contrast, the 17-year old and 400-pound silverback, known as Harambe, could be seen watching over the child in a protective manner.
According to Kim O’Connor, witness to the day’s occurrence, the gorilla appeared to be trying to protect the child instead of hurting it.
“I don’t know if the screaming did it or too many people hanging on the edge, if he thought we were coming in, but then he pulled the boy down away further from the big group,” said O’Connor.
Julia Gallucci, a primatologist with PETA also noted that it is common for gorillas to be “protective of smaller living beings and react the same way any human would to a child in danger.”
“The Zoo security team’s quick response saved the child’s life,” said Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard. “…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. Harambe was a good guy.”
While the zoo will remain open, the gorilla attraction has been closed until further notice.
Warning: This video contains graphic images.
