Authorities are mulling over possible criminal charges following the fatal shooting of Harambe the gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo over the weekend. The gorilla was shot dead by zoo officials. “It is the longest-running field study of western lowland gorillas in the wild”.
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Following a scary incident at a zoo in Cincinnati that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old Great Silverback Gorilla, the Louisville Zoo is insisting that its gorilla exhibit is safe. Fewer than 175,000 western lowland gorillas are believed to still live in the wild, making them critically endangered.
In a statement from the boy’s family released Wednesday morning, the family said the boy is “still doing well”.
Instead of accepting donation offers, the child’s family suggested they be given to the zoo in the name of Harambe.
Cincinnati police are investigating whether to bring charges against the child’s parents.
The boy’s mother said on Facebook that he suffered a concussion and scrapes but is otherwise fine.
Given the numbers of gorillas in captivity, Harambe’s genetic material would likely be drawn on only in the event of some new disease that took a heavy toll on the population, the AZA’s Lukas said.
The family, whose name has been withheld by police, said through a spokeswoman, Gail Myers, that the boy was doing well.
“This lovely gorilla lost his life because the boy’s parents did not keep a closer watch on the child”, the petition states.
The zoo deemed that the child was in a life-threatening situation and made a decision to shoot the gorilla rather than risk it becoming agitated in the moments a tranquiliser dart would have taken to work.
Thomas adds that he understands “that emotions are high after the tragic event” at the zoo Saturday. Zeigler says it’s the adult guardian and the zoo’s responsibility to keep everyone safe.
“We are also very appreciative for the expressions of concern and support that have been sent to us”, the family wrote.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which inspects the zoo annually, said it will determine whether the facility was in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, a federal law that monitors the treatment of animals in research and exhibition. None involved the gorilla exhibit. Some people are outraged that the zoo didn’t take measures to save the animal, others are asking that the boy’s mother be charged.
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An animal rights group has requested an investigation by the USDA. The unsafe animal response team quickly secured the area and used tranquillizer darts to subdue the bears.
