Zoo keepers killed a gorilla after a 4 year old boy slipped into the gorilla’s enclose. The child’s life was perceived to be in danger.
The 17 year old rare 400-pound western lowland gorilla that can be found in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea was shot after dragging the baby around.
“The child was not under attack but all sorts of things could happen… He certainly was at risk.” Said Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard said at a press briefing.
The zoo’s dangerous animal response team considered the situation life threatening decided against shooting the ape, Harambe, with tranquilizer because it takes too long to kick in and instead put it down.
According to CNN the child was taken to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Zoo Director said that the boy is thought to have gone under the rail, through wires and over the moat wall to get to the enclosure.
“Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the little boy in the bushes past the little fence area. I tried to grab for him. I started yelling at him to come back,” Said Brittany Nicely of Dayton
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