Cincinnati Zoo kills gorilla after child gets into his cage, May 28, 2016

[Ray_of_hope]

I wonder about the little boy's development. Was he just very impulsive (a developmental issue/possible nonissue) or does he have a vision problem? Surely he could see the moat because he reportedly stated that he wanted to go into the water. Studies demonstrate that by the time an infant is crawling, they are able to perceive depth and have a healthy fear of visual cliffs. Certainly toddlers and preschoolers lack impulse control to a certain degree and cannot adequately assess risk but even when on a ledge will hesitate. I am no expert and realize that impulse control is gradually developed but this child's complete lack of fear of height, if he could see well, is curious to me. Does anyone else question this or is it just me? Again I am no expert but I would be very happy if his vision and development were checked. If the findings are typical, then fine. I was just wondering. Perhaps the buffer of bushes hampered his vision and I don't have his perspective.

http://study.com/academy/lesson/visual-cliff-experiment-lesson-quiz.html

 

[sonjay]

I wonder about the little boy's development. Was he just very impulsive (a developmental issue/possible nonissue) or does he have a vision problem? Surely he could see the moat because he reportedly stated that he wanted to go into the water. Studies demonstrate that by the time an infant is crawling, they are able to perceive depth and have a healthy fear of visual cliffs. Certainly toddlers and preschoolers lack impulse control to a certain degree and cannot adequately assess risk but even when on a ledge will hesitate. I am no expert and realize that impulse control is gradually developed but this child's complete lack of fear of height, if he could see well, is curious to me. Does anyone else question this or is it just me? Again I am no expert but I would be very happy if his vision and development were checked. If the findings are typical, then fine. I was just wondering. Perhaps the buffer of bushes hampered his vision and I don't have his perspective.

He's a little boy. That's what they do. My husband, when he was little, jumped off the roof of his family's garage -- while wearing his Superman cape. He thought he could fly. He broke his back, and he's lucky he wasn't paralyzed for life.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

Those sticks sticking up at the edge of the bushes - you can't see the wire, but I think that's the wire fencing that's referred to:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syxeVV3ZYMM/UGtGywoFwWI/AAAAAAAADO8/73-D7A74ryg/s1600/IMG_5171.JPG

Good photo. Honestly, I am not comfortable with this barrier or lack of. There needs to be a smooth clear surface that cannot be climbed and high enough to dissuade objects/humans/animals from going over. It also protects the animal from being harmed by projectiles from idiots.
When I lived in Boston, I would visit the harbor to sail and walk and there was an aquarium there. Beautiful seals were held captive there and there was an outside space where humans could peer down and observe them (no cover, just rails and open air). Never failed that some drunk idiots would pour beer or other alcohol or even urinate into the alcove that contained the seals. Sometimes they would hurl small objects like pebbles. How many times I almost got killed, I'll never know. But then I was young, female and was just screamed at by morons. It caused me great pain to witness what the seals experienced. I can't imagine what it did to the water quality either. I'd call the aquarium over and over to report what I witnessed but nothing ever changed. I'm glad that exhibit is now gone.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

He's a little boy. That's what they do. My husband, when he was little, jumped off the roof of his family's garage -- while wearing his Superman cape. He thought he could fly. He broke his back, and he's lucky he wasn't paralyzed for life.

Good grief. I only had boys and thankfully they never did anything like that. They would climb when very young and subsequently fall, but not off of anything very high. Glad he survived intact though.

 

[neesaki]

Cincinnati gorilla incident: Police investigating boy's family

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/31/us/gorilla-shot-harambe/

Also, if this is eyewitness's account is correct the toddler was in greater danger than what I have heard before.

One witness, Bruce Davis, told CNN affiliate WCPO in Cincinnati that he saw the ape toss the boy "10 feet in the air, and I saw him land on his back. It was a mess."

 

[SophieRose]

Cincinnati gorilla incident: Police investigating boy's family

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/31/us/gorilla-shot-harambe/

Also, if this is eyewitness's account is correct the toddler was in greater danger than what I have heard before.

The woman who filmed the video shown all over the news said that it got worse after her film ends.

 

[LuckyLucy2]

I saw that news clip, too, SophieRose. I am a huge animal lover, but in this case, the zoo had no other choice. On the news, Jack Hanna said a tranqualizer would take 10 - 15 minutes to put the animal to sleep, the darting would startle and upset the gorilla posing more danger to the child, and when he did go to sleep, may have fallen on the boy.

 

[jennapuppy]

Those sticks sticking up at the edge of the bushes - you can't see the wire, but I think that's the wire fencing that's referred to:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syxeVV3ZYMM/UGtGywoFwWI/AAAAAAAADO8/73-D7A74ryg/s1600/IMG_5171.JPG

I have a very active 3-year old grandson. He loves to run and climb and has the impulse to scamper from one thing to the next when he's in a stimulating new environment. For that reason, I have him wear a little backpack with a strap that I can hold on to, and I always have another adult accompany me so that we have a 2 to 1 ratio of eyes to watch over him. Looking at that picture, my first worry would be that my grandson would try to climb on that fence (just for the sake of climbing), and I would be holding on to him for dear life and explaining the inherent dangers in climbing there.
IMO

 

[Ray_of_hope]

I have a very active 3-year old grandson. He loves to run and climb and has the impulse to scamper from one thing to the next when he's in a stimulating new environment. For that reason, I have him wear a little backpack with a strap that I can hold on to, and I always have another adult accompany me so that we have a 2 to 1 ratio of eyes to watch over him. Looking at that picture, my first worry would be that my grandson would try to climb on that fence (just for the sake of climbing), and I would be holding on to him for dear life and explaining the inherent dangers in climbing there.
IMO

That was one of my first thoughts too, jennapuppy. I would've grabbed their shirts or hands and held on and not let go until we were out of there. Perhaps the zoo officials truly had no choice, but it was the stupidity of people on every level that killed Harambe. (Careless moment, lack of adequate barrier, cruel human entertainment, land encroachment and poaching that creates the problem of extinction and the list goes on). And that is what fuels my anger.

 

[Zuri]

https://www.facebook.com/amanda.odonoughue/posts/1203379586363094

This was an excellent post by a Gorilla Specialist. Very informative.

ETA: She has asked that this be shared and is public.

 

[LinasK]

I have to say I'm very happy this morning to have learned yesterday that the Cincinnati PD is starting a criminal investigation of the parents' behavior prior to the incident. Now let's hope some charges are brought. Maybe that will silence some of the "Oh but for the grace of God go I" posters...

 

[LinasK]

I think the fact that this child jumped down a 15 foot embankment is being glossed over too easily here.

Yes, 4 year olds do impulsive things. They color on the walls. They bonk the dog in the face with a toy. They dart away from Mom in a crowded mall.

But they don't jump down 15 foot cement embankments. I am still shaking my head at the lack of survival instinct this child had.

I'm not sure it was lack of survival, or more like I will do what I want and noone can stop me mentality. That's why I think this kid will be trouble when he grows up unless he is taught to start obeying some societal rules now!

 

[LinasK]

Having looked at some video posted on youtube of the scrub barrier in front of the Gorilla World exhibit, I can understand how the mother missed seeing her little one sneak in. I myself would have never expected there was enough space BENEATH the scrubbery to allow for anyone, even a child, to get through. I have similar scrubbery on the south perimeter of my property and, after looking at it to see if a child could climb underneath it because of this case, I can tell you that the only thing I can see getting through it are rodents and perhaps a determined cat. I think the mom was thinking (speculation/opinion) that , if he tried to get in, it would be by climbing up on/over the scrubbery - not snaking down and under. For those who have been VERY fortunate to have never had a child unexpectedly do something incredibly foolish/dangerous in split seconds; good for you, thank God, and count your lucky stars!

BBM. That's just it- he didn't just do it in split-seconds. He warned her at least twice of his intentions and beyond telling him "No,no", she took her focus off him- whether it was on Facebook, on her phone, taking pictures, or handling her other children is irrelevant. She chose not to believe him and not pay attention. I have no sympathy for her and I will continue to judge her harshly!!!

 

[LinasK]

He reportedly told his mother he wanted to get into the water (in the enclosure). Then he had to get under (or over) 3 feet fence and four feet of bushes. I don't see how he could have slipped. It's not like you go over the fence and fall into enclosure.

Exactly- this was intentional, he wanted to get down to the level of the water and the Gorilla. I believe he jumped intentionally.

 

[LinasK]

I just wonder if the gorilla had killed the baby what the reaction would be.


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I'd still be blaming his mom.

 

[LinasK]

In my opinion, when it comes to the life of a child (or any human) or the animal, the child has to come first. I think the zoo did the right thing. I also think they were in a no win situation, if they had hesitated and the child was now dead, we'd have the same griping. I hate that the animal is dead for doing what comes naturally to an animal. I also hate that people have to 2nd and 3rd guess everything that happens so negatively, which is common place now.
I also hope the mother/family doesn't try to profit off this and if they do, I hope they lose and are charged for the animal.
Just my opinion.

Oh there are rumors that she's threatening to sue, and she's already hired a PR firm, after her self-serving statements on Facebook.. Never once has she addressed the death of Harambe- caused by her son's actions!

 

[LinasK]

If my child told me they wanted to go into a zoo exhibit with the animal, I would assume the were just talking nonsense and not for a second think they actually would do it much less succeed! It's rather shocking.

Well, maybe now you would give it a second thought. I would never ignore my child had she ever stated such a thing...

 

[LinasK]

Those sticks sticking up at the edge of the bushes - you can't see the wire, but I think that's the wire fencing that's referred to:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syxeVV3ZYMM/UGtGywoFwWI/AAAAAAAADO8/73-D7A74ryg/s1600/IMG_5171.JPG

Alright, this photo proves the zoo has some signs at least warning about the potential unpredictable behavior of Gorillas- throwing clumps of dirt, so presumably there are other signs warning humans to stay out of the enclosures, off fences and railings.

 

[neesaki]

Oh there are rumors that she's threatening to sue, and she's already hired a PR firm, after her self-serving statements on Facebook.. Never once has she addressed the death of Harambe- caused by her son's actions!

So she's not accepting accountability for letting her son out of her sight and allowing him to get in there with Harambe, instead she's blaming the zoo. Why of course. And I suppose she could care less that Harambe died due to her negligence as a parent. Why am I not surprised.... Her son had already warned her what he was going to do when he said what he wanted to do. Instead of paying closer attention to him, she ignored him. I'm not about to give this woman a pass on this and blame the zoo just because she as a parent chooses not to take responsibility for her children and their actions. Poor Harambe.

 

[LinasK]

He's a little boy. That's what they do. My husband, when he was little, jumped off the roof of his family's garage -- while wearing his Superman cape. He thought he could fly. He broke his back, and he's lucky he wasn't paralyzed for life.

Grown men do it too. Apparently my BIL did that into a swimming pool. He was also lucky he wasn't paralyzed.