A Cincinnati zoo was left with no choice but to kill a 17-year-old gorilla named Harambe after a 4-year-old boy slipped into its enclosure on Saturday. The zoo's decision of shooting the 400-pound western lowland gorilla sparked massive backlash from animal rights advocates and internet users. Some animal experts, however, believed that the zoo's response team made the right move.
Cincinnati Zoo's 'Difficult' Decision To Kill Harambe The Gorilla
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden announced on Facebook that it is devastated by the tragic death of Harambe. It stated that its Dangerous Animal Response Team came up with the "difficult" decision of killing the gorilla to save the life of a 4-year-old boy who climbed through a public barrier and fell into the gorilla's habitat.
"We are heartbroken about losing Harambe, but a child's life was in danger and a quick decision had to be made," explained Thane Maynard, director of the Cincinnati zoo. He added that tranquilizing the gorilla was not an option because the effect would take several minutes and the toddler was already in "imminent danger." He also pointed out that the impact of the dart could agitate Harambe and could worsen the situation.
Internets Users, Animal Rights Advocates Slammed The Cincinnati Zoo For Killing Harambe The Gorilla
The Cincinnati zoo's decision of killing the gorilla to save a toddler has angered internet users and animal rights advocates, including the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Some expressed their frustrations on the zoo's Facebook page while other put up a "Justice For Harambe" online petition. Some animal rights advocates also staged a rally outside the zoo on Sunday, demanding for action on Harambe's tragic death.
Protestors outside Cincinnati Zoo, demanding action for #Harambe, Gorilla shot after child fell in enclosure. @WLWT pic.twitter.com/DZNlP7AcZ7
— Tammy Mutasa (@TammyMutasaWLWT) May 29, 2016
PETA also slammed the Cincinnati zoo on Twitter, saying that the tragic death of Harambe is a proof that "captivity is never acceptable for gorillas or other primates." The animal rights group also urged families to boycott the Cincinnati zoo.
Cincinnati Zoo Made The Right Decision Of Killing Harambe The Gorilla, According To Animal Experts
Some animal experts backed the Cincinnati zoo's decision of killing Harambe to save the life of a toddler. One of them is Dr. Sharon Redrobe, chief executive of Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire, who told Metro that the loss of the gorilla is tragic, but the response team made the right decision.
"The zookeepers had a life and death situation on their hands and they would have known the behavior of that animal better than anyone," Redrobe explained. She also agreed with the zoo's explanation that tranquilizing the gorilla would not work and would only give more catastrophic consequences.
Did the Cincinnati zoo make the wrong decision of killing Harambe the gorilla to save a 4-year-old boy? Leave some comments below.
