Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Cincinnati gorilla killed after boy falls into zoo enclosure

May 29, 2016 | By Reuters
Harambe, a 17-year-old gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo

(Reuters) – A male gorilla in the Cincinnati Zoo was killed by keepers on Saturday after he dragged around a 4-year-old boy who fell into the enclosure, a zoo official said.

The boy crawled through a barrier and fell about 12 feet (3.7-meters) into a moat surrounding the habitat, where Harambe, a 400-pound (181-kg) western lowland gorilla, grabbed him, Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard told reporters.

Advertisement

The boy was with the 17-year-old gorilla for about 10 minutes and the zoo’s dangerous animal response team deemed the situation life-threatening, he said.

“The choice was made to put down, or shoot, Harambe, so he’s gone,” he said.

Two female gorillas were also in the enclosure at the time of the incident. Maynard said the boy, who was not identified, was not seriously injured in the fall. In a statement, the zoo said the boy was alert when taken to a hospital.

Harambe was born at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, and was moved to the Cincinnati Zoo in 2014. Western lowland gorillas are classified as an endangered species, and Maynard said the zoo had hoped to use Harambe for breeding.

(Reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by Paul Simao)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC4S00I-VIEWIMAGE

← Previous Post Next Post →
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Share  On Facebook

U.S. to boost airport staffing to manage long security lines

Two gay men challenge Tennessee denial of service law

Republican push to impeach U.S. IRS chief hit by Democrats

You’ll Get The Chills When You See This Abandoned Hotel In Pennsylvania

Cannes favorites Dardenne brothers to stick to social genre

Inspiring Portable Toilet Donates 20 Percent of Rental Proceeds to Breast Cancer

U.S. defends warrantless spying in Christmas tree bomber case

Bill Cosby’s wife answered few questions in February deposition

Sports and Entertainment Stars Converge in Washington D.C. to Rally in Support of Type 1 Diabetes Research

North Carolina transgender law violates civil rights law: U.S.

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy