It is very sad that this happened. It would have been even sadder had this child lost his life. I'm sorry the gorilla had to be shot, but that was the only choice in order to save the child's life. I think the zoo is 100 % responsible for this situation. Obviously, they need to take another look at their enclosures before allowing the public on the premises. I find it hard to believe that the parents are being blamed for this unfortunate event. Unless someone saw the parent toss her child in the enclosure, then the zoo is at fault.

You people are really sick to put an animals life above a childs. I understand that animals need protection to, but in this instance the child's life was the priority. Apparently you people have never been in this type of situation or you never had any kids. If you thought that animal was not going to hurt that child, why don't you go to another zoo and jump in with the same type of animal and lets see what happens.

Don't be ridiculous! No one is putting an animals life over a child's... well, with the exception of internet trolls, who like to post inane things just to get a rise out of people. In your case it looks like it worked. People are heartbroken and mad, and rightfully so, that an animal lost its life over parental negligence and a not properly secured habitat (which hopefully the zoo will address, so some other inept parents kid cant crawl thru) What do you want people to post, Yay I'm so glad they shot and killed that gorilla. (insert many eyerolls) People are expressing anger and hurt. Just because they post their disdain or question if lethal measures was the right way to go, does not mean people wish the kid was dead. Don't be silly! Seriously, you cant be that daft!

By the remarks here we should have put down the mother and sent the gorilla home with the father to raise the child.

No, this could have been avoided if mom was doing what she should have been doing watching her kids. where do I sign to have the court decide ?she said thing happen wih kids ! He told you he wanted to go in WITH .you should have watched your son after that. sorry.. you should lose you kids.

I,m not sure why they kill him, he was doing a better job then the mom, of the boy who slipped in to the enclosure, anny animal will not atack a small child especialy a gorilla. The mom is one who is gilty not a gorilla.

I wish you were there with mother gorilla in place of that little boy.

I, understand that little boy was scared when he saw a gorilla but my point is that the gorilla will not harm the boy take the dog for exemple one little child can do annything to the dog and nothing gonna hapen but if you try to do something to the dog you will be beaten they know that is an little child and the mother is one who wach the boy that gorilla is not qulty for that the mother has not responsible.

Why isn't anyone outraged with the Zoo?? Their enclosures should be able to keep animals out and prevent people from getting in.

No Zoo should have fences that a child should so easily climb into period!!!

My thoughts exactly! This shouldn't have happened if the zoo had proper enclosures.

very true, but it is also the responsibility of the parent to watch their child, especially if the fence is something they could get through. The mom knew the boy had been trying to get in and wanted to go in. I am thankful to the zoo but so sad that this gorilla who lived in such tiny quarters was killed due to negligence. Further proof that animals in captivity is not the best thing.

Those who find fault with others never leave time to correct their own. None of you were there so shut your little pie holes and stop passing judgement. Those who judge others don't define them, they define themselves.

News should read, "Stupid Mother leaves child unattended, Falls into the domain of an innocent beautiful Gorilla who was Shot because of the Mothers Fault"

I wish they Shot the Human who entered his domain.. and the person taking care of the person who entered this beautiful creatures domain.. The animal didn't deserve what he got.. Its the fault of human for being stupid.. They should punish the Human for his Stupidity.

It seem as if the Gorilla was playing with the Child, I know it looked very Scary ! Too bad they decided to put this Animal Down !

Truly the "bottomline" to this horrible tragedy is the mother's lack of attentiveness, parenting. There is no other explanation.
There is no other excuse.
WHY doesn't she JUST ADMIT IT. SHE CREATED THE SITUATION by taking her eyes off her child in a hazardous situation? She clearly KNEW of his rambunctious nature. This could not have been a revelation to the woman!
-People would be far more forgiving IF she showed an ounce of regret, humility, sorrow.
Instead? We see a somewhat arrogance of response instead of heartfelt remorse and admittance of wrongdoing AS A PARENT. She created this situation!
THIS IS WHY, those of us who've parented; have children have little respect for this woman and feel strongly she should be penalized in some fashion for the tragedy she helped create by N E G L E C T. Either he belonged in a stroller or HELD BY THE HAND. It is, THAT simple!

This is what I have just read....a witness account:

"The crowed got a little frantic and the mother was calling for her son. Actually, just prior to him going over, but she couldn’t see him crawling through the bushes! She said “He was right here! I took a pic and his hand was in my back pocket and then gone!” As she could find him nowhere...

Eye witness account...
I was taking a pic of the female gorilla, when my eldest son yells, “what is he doing? ” I looked down, and to my surprise, there was a small child that had apparently, literally “flopped” over the railing, where there was then about 3 feet of ground that the child quickly crawled through! ! I assumed the woman next to me was the mother, getting ready to grab him until she says, “Whose kid is this? ” None of us actually thought he’d go over the nearly 15 foot drop, but he was crawling so fast through the bushes before myself or husband could grab him, he went over! The crowed got a little frantic and the mother was calling for her son. Actually, just prior to him going over, but she couldn’t see him crawling through the bushes! She said “He was right here! I took a pic and his hand was in my back pocket and then gone!” As she could find him nowhere, she lookes to my husband (already over the railing talking to the child) and asks, “Sir, is he wearing green shorts?"
.....
This woman bears responsibility for this tragedy, and is lacking prioritizing skills....the welfare of her child before that of a picture.The child had already expressed his proclivity for the gorilla compound. The taking of the photo was a conscious decision. Considering the impulsiveness of a three year, going on four year old child, and especially considering her 'experience' running a daycare, she should have recognized the need for vigilance. Her back was turned to him, his hand in her back pocket....not that she apparently noticed when he removed it. She had no awareness of her child's location....although the stranger beside her knew. This child was able to leave her backside, climb a barrier, 'flop' over it, and crawl several feet through bushes to a fifteen foot drop. And she still had no idea where her child was..
She needs a 'little chat' at the least, from a legal entity such as CPS...
Never mind attempting to deflect her negligence, while attempting to place the blame on the Zoo.

Which really SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED with a 4 year old. She was watching TOO many kids it sounds. Sorry, the shame is her's to live with the death of this gorgeous wildlife treasure. No mercy here for HER responsibility in this matter whatsoever. She needs to be held ACCOUNTABLE as a PARENT - period.

The shame that she should carry, is the deadly position that she placed her child in....if she has any degree of insight.

And my heart is with Harambe....

This stupid stupid woman - no excuses . A beautiful creature lost his life because of her careless incomprehensible stupidity. She should be heavily fined or otherwise seriously penalized

The Gorilla was MURDERED... Period!
PARENTAL CARE

Since mortality is as high as 38% in mountain gorillas during the
infancy period (from birth to three years), caregivers, primarily
females,
are acutely important in the survival of their infants (Watts 1989).
Because of their long period of development and dependence, gorilla
mothers can expect to invest years caring for their vulnerable
offspring.
Although male gorillas do not take an active role in caring for infants,
they play an important role in their socialization, often associating
with older infants and juveniles (Stewart 2001). The relationship that
develops between the silverback and
infants in his group is usually supportive; he serves as an attachment
figure during the difficult time of weaning and he shields young
gorillas from intragroup aggression by intervening in disputes involving
older, more dominant individuals (Stewart 2001).
THE AGGRESSION WAS THE YELLING AND SCREAMING FROM THE HUMAN IDIOTS!

This is terrible!!! First of all absolutely no animal should be behind bars & on display! In my opinion, this was the parents responsibility to watch their kids at all times regardless of how many they have & due to this lack of their responsibility in watching their kids a caged gorilla behind bars was shot & killed. Wild animals deserve to be free & not behind bars, exhibits in an American freakshow!

Excuse me but where were the parents??

The mother was busy taking a picture...
This is what she told an eyewitness...

Witnesses says mom was busy with the other children she has.

A gorilla died because bitch can't use a condom?

People need to stop having more kids than they can handle.

If she had too many children to watch? She should have brought along a sitter, her husband, a friend, a neighbor, a relative. Now you know this isn't the first time she's tried to "juggle" more children than she can handle - but this time, the situation was dangerous. In fact? ANY PUBLIC arena is "dangerous" when a child can be nabbed/abducted because Mom is busy with "too many children". Seriously flawed thinking.

Oh, gee, I guess I should never ever take more than one child anywhere. Give me a break that she should have gotten a sitter! Who the hell goes to a zoo thinking it's a dangerous place?!

Well TINA, IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE YOUR KIDS don't put them in harm's way PUBLICLY and make the rest of the world's problem because you have MORE children than you can handle/watch/tend to!!!

Wow, talk about horrifying! I honestly feel sorry for all involved. Sorry for the traumatizing ordeal that the Family went through, and I'm sorry that the gorilla lost his life. We were just at the Zoo yesterday with our kids. Our Son was constantly trying to stand on fences, get a closer look, climb things, etc. I was constantly saying, "get down, come back here, hold my hand, ride in the stroller." I sympathize with the Mother of the Son who fell because it literally can be one minute. While you're trying to hold one kid higher for a better look, while you're trying to grab the toddler a snack.....I have learned since I've became a Parent not to judge, not to point fingers. I try my absolute BEST to watch my kids at all times, and to keep them from harm. But I am not perfect and I just hope like heck nothing like this ever happens to us.

I really appreciate your thoughtful opinion. I wish more people on this site were as compassionate as you. Another mother at the zoo in Cincinnati, who watched this whole ordeal take place, echoed your sentiments. She seemed to believe that this horrible accident could have happened to any parent. Your children are lucky to have such a loving, thoughtful and compassionate parent.

If you actually cared about the gorilla, you would not want it living in a Zoo. For all those people mad at the parents, accidents happen so have some compassion.

No. This is not an "accounts happen" scenario. If you have too many kids that don't listen, don't bring them into a place that could be dangerous or you can't watch them.

Actually zoos particularly high quality accredited zoos help save animals from extinction and provide a valuable service. There are many stories of zoos protecting animals in the wild which is part of what they must do to remain accredited. What is more only a fraction of what the zoo does involves the public looking at animals one of the main goals is to provide as natural and
Large a habitat as possible so that the animals may be studied to help animals in the wild. Further a zoo is not a playground. These are wild animals and care should be taken at all times. If the parents can't watch their brood then they need to learn to use a condom or get snipped.

This is not such a big deal. There are many more gorillas in this country in cities like St. Louis, Detroit, Washington DC, and many more.

I agree, we have Pink, yellow, black and white that look just like you !

I've never seen any pink gorillas. What are you talking about? I was talking about the gorillas in the zoos. Are you saying that some race of people looks like gorillas? Shame on you.

I agree, just like their are many knuckle dragging neanderthals in these cities and everywhere in the world as well. Actually neanderthals are more prevalent than gorillas, all the inbreding done by them have insured this species will never die out.

And toss in those white idiots who are guilt ridden by their so-called 'privilege'. And while we are at it..let's throw in the blond and latina bimbos who are hooking up with these primates as well.

Those blaming the parents are ridiculous and I hope you get shown as much compassion as you are showing them. From the sidelines, we're all experts and all have clarity of thought and vision. It was a terrible accident and hopefully all will learn what they need to learn from the experience.

I lay the blame squarely upon the mother...

F U. We live in a world where no one wants to take responsibility and everyone is a victim. Did you read her statement? Her statement was basically "God is my babysitter so there." She doesn't need compassion she needs some personal responsibility.

And the world is pink and squishy and it's all flowers and butterflies. This will happen again. And again. No to this kid, he's learned his lesson, but to some other kid. Gorillas, and lions and giraffes and etc, belong in their natural habitat.t I feel no simpathy for the parents. I feel sorry for the gorilla who was minding his own business and got shot and killed because someone wasn't paying attention.

Well said!!

Guess what? That's life. I'm not advocating caging animals...but accidents happen. I wasn't talking about the child learning a lesson because a three year old is not responsible for knowing what is dangerous. But I'm certain the parents didn't go to the zoo that day and think, "how can I have my child slip into the gorilla cage so that the gorilla can be shot and killed today?" You are judgemental and have no compassion for anyone but the animal. I have compassion for everyone involved.

I'm sorry but according to your initial comment it's pretty clear you were thinking only of the humans involved. That idea is made even more clear with your "guess what that's life" remark. And what I think the other commentator was trying to say is that the gorilla was in the cage only because we humans made that decision. And because someone took the eyes off the kid for 5 minutes, a life is ended. And it could have been worse.

Please stop it with your fake compassion for the animal! If you cared about the animal, you would not want it living at the zoo. Furthermore, you are suppose to have more compassion toward HUMANS than animals.