Tranquillisers were not an option because they could have a delayed effect and may have agitated the gorilla further, zoo officials said. But Trump noted that video also showed the gorilla dragging the boy through a shallow moat. Though Harambe did not attack the young boy, he was considered to be a unsafe animal that resulted him being shot down by the zoo officials.
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A Cincinnati police spokesman said no charges against the parents were being considered.
A 4-year-old boy climbed a 3-foot fence, crossed a 4-foot grassy area and fell 15 feet into Harambe’s living area. Mr Maynard said that using tranquillisers on the gorilla would probably have put the boy in greater danger because they do not take effect immediately.
Now, sources have confirmed that Cincinnati police are looking into Gregg and Deonne Dickerson, the boy’s father, even though the latter was not at the zoo when his son fell into the gorilla pit.
The zoo’s Gorilla World exhibit has been closed to visitors since the incident, and will be reopened after an assessment of its security.
Thane Maynard, director of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, speaks during a news conference, Monday, May 30, 2016, in Cincinnati. “You have to be watching your children at all times”.
The group said in its complaint letter that the child’s ability to get past the barrier was proof the zoo was negligent and should be fined for a “clear and fatal violation of the Animal Welfare Act”.
While most of the public’s anger seems to be directed at the child’s mother, Michelle Gregg, a 32-year-old daycare administrator, fingers have also been pointed at the zoo. Over 350,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org and want the police to hold the four-year-old child’s parents responsible for the ape’s death. “Accidents happen but I am thankful that the right people were in the right place today”, she said, The Age reports.
“It’s devastating, devastating”, said Joan Lupa from Lupa Zoo.
The gorilla was quickly killed by zoo keepers, causing an emotional debate over whether zoo staff did the right thing.
“The scream from that gorilla, that I have never heard”, witness Tangie Hollifield said, according to CNN and WCPO in Cincinnati.
“This is very sad and unfortunate”, she said.
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He acknowledged that it was “a very tough call” but said a child’s safety was at stake.
