The Cincinnati Zoo was home to the beloved gorilla named Harambe. That was until late May when an accident involving a young child played out. According to reports, a three year old, walking along side his mother, told her repeatedly that he was going to go into the moat, and she continually said no. Her attention was skewed for a short amount of time and he slid and fell into the moat where Harambe was living. Harambe dragged the young boy through the water, held hands with him, and threw him up in the air in an ordeal that lasted about ten minutes. The Zoo officials eventually decided to shoot and kill the endangered gorilla named Harambe. The boy was not seriously injured and was fine afterward. Those actions were and still are being ridiculed by people everywhere. The Cincinnati police, and many other groups are investigating this tragedy in order to prevent future events like this. Also they are trying to find if any charges should be brought forward. This was a terrible catastrophe, and zoos need to figure out how to deal with or prevent these situations in the future.
1) What do you think should have happened differently?
2) How can zoos prevent these types of situations?
I think that first, the mother should have made sure she knew where the boy was at the entire time. If he said he wanted to go into the moat he was probably stubborn enough to do it. Second, the zoo shouldn't have had a way for anyone to get inside of the habitat. And lastly, they should have used a tranquilizer gun. That way if you miss and hit the boy, he won't be killed and you don't kill an endangered animal. I think Zoos everywhere should increase the security of the habitats animals are living in and make sure they have some type of a plan in case something like this occurs again.
Replies
Good story but not really current.
I believe the zookeepers did everything right that they possibly could. They saw that the gorilla was going to harm the boy, but still, the mother is responsible for this happening because she wasn't watching her kid. I also believe the zoo should have better protection surrounding the animal's enclosure. They should have had high walls so that kids aren't able to get past them.
I think the mother should have payed more attention to her son and not allow him to escape her guard and jump into the gorilla area. Then I think the zoo should have made the habitat harder to get into so that way small children couldn't get in the habitat. I think more safety precautions should be taken and make the habitats more difficult to enter.
I think they did every thing right because the boy was in danger. If they didn't have like a fence, but instead a window, it would be safer.
I think parents should always keep their attention on their children. I think the zoo could've had more secure space for their animals. Obviously if this boy was able to get into the moat, it's not very secure.
I don't see how the child could have gotten there because the mother should have been more watchful and careful... On the zoos behalf they shouldn't have just jumped to conclusions and shot one of their endangered species in front of everyone in the facility.. I definitely agree with you and they should have used a tranquilizer to decrease the risk of injuries..
I think that the child should have been controlled and watched more closely and none of this would have happened. Especially since he is a 3 year old and he doesn't understand what could go wrong if he went in the moat so someone that young should be watched at all times. I don't think they should have shot and killed Harambe though. They could do plenty of things to prevent this from happening again without having to kill the gorilla. They could make the exhibit not possible for children to get in to so this wouldn't happen again
I think that the gorilla should have been tranquilized and sedated, I dont think he deserved to die. And to prevent other accidents such as this the zoos should be better more safe enclosures and better parenting.
I totally agree. I think parents need to make sure that their kids know what to do and how to act when they are at public places.
I don't think Harambe should have been killed. The zoo should have better barriers so there is no chance of someone falling in. I think the Henry Doorly Zoo is a great example of what the Cincinnati Zoo should have.
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