Michelle Gregg, 32, dialled the emergency services to tell them to contact officials at Cincinnati Zoo while she remained at the enclosure to urge the boy to “keep calm”.
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Confusion and panic set in after a 3-year-old boy plunged into the Cincinnati Zoo’s gorilla exhibit, according to 911 recordings released Wednesday, with the boy’s mother pleading for help while repeatedly shouting at her son: “Be calm!”
An Ohio legislator from Cincinnati says there’s no reason to believe that a new law is needed for such situations as the killing of a zoo gorilla after a small child got into his enclosure.
“As a society we are quick to judge how a parent could take their eyes off of their child and if anyone knows me I keep a tight watch on my kids”, she wrote. Cincinnati police are investigating the family, while federal inspectors will review the zoo.
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The boy’s mother said on Facebook that he suffered a concussion and scrapes but is otherwise fine.
“A lot of people have said I should have my children taken away, I should have my tubes tied…”
The family released a new statement Wednesday morning with an update on the boy’s condition.
Caller two: “Hi, we’re at the Cincinnati Zoo a baby fell in the gorilla cage and everyone is screaming.” .
Minutes later, the zoo’s unsafe animal response team killed the gorilla to protect the boy.
Just moment later 17-year-old Harambe was shot dead by zoo keepers at Cincinnati Zoo following the terrifying ordeal.
Reuters has reported that police were taking a second look at possible criminal charges against the boy’s parents.
Maynard said Tuesday the zoo had received an outpouring of support from colleagues, including Jane Goodall, one of the world’s most renowned primatologists.
Thane Maynard, the zoo’s director, stood by the decision to shoot the gorilla and denied claims it was negligent.
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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.
