Backlash Against Cincinnati Zoo for Shooting Gorilla

[icyfroth]

The mother of the little boy who fell into a gorilla enclosure at Cincinnati Zoo has hit back at critics saying society is quick to judge when 'accidents happen'.

Michelle Gregg took to Facebook following a public backlash after 17-year-old Herambe was captured on camera dragging her four-year-old boy, believed to be called Isaiah, around the moated area of the enclosure.

At one point, it appears that Herambe is holding hands with the little boy, as he stands protectively over him shielding him from the screaming crowd.
The silverback gorilla held the boy for about 10 minutes before he was shot by a dangerous animal response team, the head of Cincinnati Zoo said on Saturday.

The boy's mum said on Facebook: “I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers today. What started off as a wonderful day turned into a scary one.
“For those of you that have seen the news or been on social media, that was my son that fell in the gorilla exhibit at the zoo.
"God protected my child until the authorities were able to get to him.
My son is safe and was able to walk away with a concussion and a few scrapes ... no broken bones or internal injuries.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/31717600/witnesses-say-gorilla-was-trying-to-protect-child-after-f...

I dunno...
I think it's sad that such a magnificent animal had to be killed, but it's my opinion the Gorilla would have toyed with the boy until it killed him.
It could have gone either way. I think the Zoo made the right decision.

[bsal6160]

no argument here staks (other than - had anyone reported the fence broken?), just furious that people consider in this situation that the life of that poor child wasnt worth saving by shooting the animal.

[imastawka]

Sorry, bsal.    My post was not directed towards you.

You were just the last poster.

[go-tazz]

The latest:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/cincinnati-police-concludes-investigation-toddler-falling-gorilla-enclosure...

[davidc4430]

much later latest...

the gorilla was a guy in a suit!

[davidc4430]

much later later latest....

the kid was a monkey in a suit!

[imastawka]

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@go-tazz wrote:

The latest:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/cincinnati-police-concludes-investigation-toddler-falling-gorilla-enclosure...

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They're going to build a new fence.  But hey, what was wrong with the old one?

I don't think anyone needs to report a broken fence.

Don't they do visual checks every day?

[***super_nova***]

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@esayaf wrote:
I'd like to see the zoos of the world close and animal conservation extend to all of them not just a money making few. Zoos are in it for the money otherwise entry would be free

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Most zoos in the world are private-non-profit organizations and never have enough money, let alone a profit.  They depend on donations and membership as well as money paid by zoogoers.  The zoos that are city or county owned are funded by their governm organizations but also rely on donations from private individuals.  The only zoos that might make a profit are those owned by Disney (Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando) and Busch Gardens in Tampa.