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(Cincinnati) Zoo: Gorilla killed after dragging boy who fell into exhibit; child hospitalized
WCPO ^ | 28 May 16 | WCPO Staff

Posted on 05/28/2016 4:42:31 PM PDT by xzins

CINCINNATI – A gorilla was killed after it dragged a 3-year-old boy that fell into its enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Saturday, Zoo Director Thane Maynard said.

The boy was hospitalized with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.

Police and EMTs were called to the zoo at about 4 p.m. for reports that a gorilla was "slamming the child into the wall."

Maynard said the boy crawled through a barrier and landed in the moat. He was walking and splashing. Harambe, a 17-year-old male gorilla weighing more than 400 pounds, picked up the boy, Maynard said. Witnesses said the gorilla grabbed and dragged the screaming boy around the habitat for about 10 minutes.

RELATED: Silverback gorilla Harambe comes to Cincinnati Zoo for 'spring training'

Personnel from the zoo's dangerous animal response team decided to put down Harambe rather than tranquilize him because the boy was in danger and the tranquilizer would not have taken effect immediately, Maynard said. Two other gorillas in the exhibit were called back inside.

Maynard called it "a life-threatening situation" for the boy. The response team shot Harambe.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Education; Local News; Miscellaneous; Outdoors; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: brat; cincinnati; cincinnatizoo; gorilla; harambe; maul; ohio; parenting; zoo
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To: xzins
"My memory says a 3 year old could not get in there without assistance."

Wow. It's mind boggling, to think that someone might have lifted him over a barrier. When it comes to dangerous animals, though, there are many delusional people out there.

I live in the middle of large mountain lion and bear populations and do pay attention to their real natures. In old terms for example, a mountain lion has the spirit of a mountain lion--a beast--not that of a human being. It is what it is. I don't bother them and don't allow them to bother me. And they won't approach a child or other human being too closely while in my presence.


141 posted on 05/29/2016 4:36:57 PM PDT by familyop ("Welcome to Costco. I love you." --Costco greeter in the movie, "Idiocracy")
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To: familyop

He is now said to be 4 years old. I still don’t see how it’s possible, but I guess it was. I read it was through a fence, under another, and down a sheer drop into a moat.


142 posted on 05/29/2016 4:43:10 PM PDT by xzins ( Free Republic Gives YOU a voice heard around the globe. Support the Freepathon!)
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To: miss marmelstein; Pelham

Indeed I had a girlfriend Brit public school raised

Parents lived Gstaad or Anguilla mostly

Detached

I’m not like that

The motorcycle death fueled me instantly with raw empathy and as father of five kids including three boys in a row....selfishness

I admit I prayed for the dad and thanked God it wasn’t my loss at the same moment

My wife would have to be institutionalized

My boys have KTM dirt bikes and a lot of land to ride but street bikes no

I took a pic of the crumpled bike and sent it to me 16 year old who’s been sweating me for a street bike for school

He read about it on the news and declared his desire for a street bike was done

Right after I witnessed it I called my wife and choked back throat lumps trying to explain it

The banker lady I was with was despondent

It was one of the worst things I’ve ever witnessed especially the fathers arrival as he saw immediately it was his young son


143 posted on 05/29/2016 4:54:45 PM PDT by wardaddy (No wobbly Donald....full steam ahead)
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To: familyop

We have had more than a few Mountain Lion attacks on mountain bikers in the wilderness parks in Orange County, CA. Adults jumped by the cats and sometimes killed.


144 posted on 05/29/2016 5:03:11 PM PDT by Pelham (Barack Obama. When being bad is not enough and only evil will do)
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To: wardaddy

+100 My brother got killed on my motorcycle by a drunk driver...He was 19...My dad became an alcoholic for a few years from that event...His last 21 years of his life, he was a tee totaler....Eff the no soul gorilla.....Child versus animal...animal will lose EVERYTIME in my book.


145 posted on 05/29/2016 5:06:56 PM PDT by chasio649
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To: ETL

The difference might be that a female got to the kid first, not a silverback.


146 posted on 05/29/2016 5:32:56 PM PDT by Mr. Blond
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To: wardaddy

I’m sorry you had to witness that. If it dissuaded your son from owning a vehicle that might prove dangerous, perhaps it was God speaking to him through you. I don’t generally think this way but it is one way of making peace with a traumatic event. Life kinda stinks, doesn’t it?


147 posted on 05/29/2016 5:45:13 PM PDT by miss marmelstein (Richard the Third: With my own people alone I should like to drive away the Muslims)
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To: DeepInTheHeartOfTexas

That is a pretty despicable thing to say.


148 posted on 05/31/2016 10:22:06 AM PDT by GOPPachyderm
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