The tape was one of five released Wednesday by Cincinnati police, who said they’re investigating the actions of the boy’s family.
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‘We continue to praise God for His grace and mercy, and to be thankful to the Cincinnati Zoo for their actions taken to protect our child’.
The incident, which occurred Saturday afternoon, resulted in the shooting and killing of a 17-year-old silverback gorilla to ensure the boy’s safety, zoo officials said.
The family expresses thanks to those expressing concern and support.
Whether you agree or disagree with the use of leashes or harnesses children, the Jackson Zoo says parents should do whatever they have to do to make sure they keep a close eye on their children.
John Key weighed in today on the debate dividing the internet, saying he wouldn’t have shot Harambe the gorilla.
“This is an animal (that) with one hand, I have seen take a coconut and crush it”, zoo director Thane Maynard said. “I can’t watch this”.
“There’s a baby in the zoo that fell in the gorilla moat”, says another caller. The 450-pound gorilla was said to be acting “erratically” toward the boy, according to ABC News. The boy’s family says he is “still doing well”.
The family has not been officially identified and a spokesperson said the parents had no plans to participate in interviews. The statement said some people have offered money, which they won’t accept.
Lykins, who is 6-months pregnant and had two children of her own at the zoo, held the mother’s hand for a moment as she tried to get through to 9-1-1.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
In that incident, an 8-year-old female gorilla named Binti Jua made national headlines when she picked up the unconscious boy and protected him from the other primates.
The boy was released from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center on Saturday night.
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The animal rights group Stop Animal Exploitation Now said on Tuesday [Wednesday NZT] it would file a negligence complaint against the zoo with the US Department of Agriculture.
