No charges will be brought against the mother of a boy who got into the gorilla exhibit at Cincinnati Zoo, a prosecutor has announced, saying the three-year-old “just scampered off”.
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Gorilla World at the Cincinnati Zoo has been modified, so the barrier better separates humans and gorillas.
This comes in response to the 3-year-old boy who gained access to the enclosure late last month, resulting in the killing of Harambe, a 17-year-old western lowland gorilla.
The parents of a toddler who fell into a gorilla enclosure at a USA zoo – leading the animal to be shot – will not face charges, a prosecutor said Monday, June 6, closing the probe into an incident that transfixed the nation. Zoo officials who feared for the child’s life made the decision to shoot the animal.
The unnamed family in a statement said it was pleased with the prosecutor’s decision.
Director Thane Maynard said that the exhibit had been safe for almost 40 years, but that the new barrier would help to reassure visitors that it is safe.
“By all accounts… this mother did not act in any way where she presented this child to some harm”, Deters said. There are four feet of bushes after the fencing, as well as a 15-foot drop to shallow water which the gorillas can access.
Director Thane Maynard said the exhibit had been safe for 38 years, but the new barrier helps to reassure guests and protect everyone on both sides of it henceforward.
The Cincinnati zoo actively supports wild gorilla conservation efforts but the question is being asked, “Why are gorillas even in zoos?” and it’s a legitimate one.
The zoo’s actions will be reviewed by the USA department of agriculture.
“The zoo lost a lovely animal, and one that many people in this area have enjoyed watching for a long time”.
The family has said the boy is doing well and they’re taking steps to put the “tragic episode” behind them. Two are 20-year-old females that were grouped with Harambe.
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The prosecutor said he has been surprised by the reaction to the gorilla’s death, although the zoo had suffered a great loss. The new barrier is 42 inches high with solid wood beams at the top and bottom with knotted rope netting. Police said he had scrapes on his head and knee, but was alert and talking when rescued, despite the fall into the moat.
