The 911 call of a woman about a child who fell into a Cincinnati Zoo gorilla habitat was released on Wednesday, May 31.
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Asked to comment on Tuesday – as footage of the drama ran on a loop on USA television networks – Donald Trump said it appeared officials had no choice but to shoot the gorilla.
The family, who haven’t been identified by police, said they’ve been offered money, without specifying what the funds were intended for, but won’t accept financial gifts. Zookeepers shot the gorilla after he violently dragged and tossed the child. Harambe was shot dead by Cincinnati Zoo staff, a decision the zoo has stood by.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which inspects the zoo annually, said it will determine whether the incident happened because the zoo was not in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, according to Public Affairs Specialist Tanya Espinosa. Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said that after the police investigation is completed, his office will confer with police about possible criminal charges.
Cincinnati police are investigating whether to bring charges against the child’s parents. I tried to see exactly what was happening-it looked as though the gorilla was putting an arm round the child-like the female who rescued and returned the child from the Chicago exhibit.
The boy’s family released a statement saying he continues to do well and expressing gratitude to the Cincinnati Zoo for protecting him.
Authorities updated the child’s age after initially reporting that the boy was 4 years old, wrote the Cincinnati Enquirer.
He said the ape was not simply endangering the child but actually hurting him. “Looking back, we’d make the same decision”.
“The exhibit is safe”, said Thane Maynard, Cincinnati Zoo director. One, titled “Justice for Harambe,” which called for an investigation into the parents, had more than 448,000 signatures as of Wednesday.
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Rich added that when apes are in the outdoor exhibits there are always volunteers nearby giving out information about the animals, but “also keeping an eye on things”, ensuring that no one enters the exhibits, said Rich.
