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Original poster

An endangered gorilla has been shot dead after a 4-yo fell into its zoo enclosure

675 replies

AdrenalineFudge · 29/05/2016 20:32

Why the fuck has this happened... again - to another endangered species?

A little boy fell into an enclosure and the zoo staff decided the best course of action was to shoot the gorilla dead.

I'm not even sure who I'm most angry at. This should not have happened in the first place.

OP posts:
Feelinglesstolerantnow · 29/05/2016 21:35

Of course the child's life is more important than the gorilla's
"Says who?"
lol. really?
There will always be misogynists ready to blame the mother. we don't need to trouble ourselves with their ridiculous views.
The enclosures need reviewing.

Fairuza · 29/05/2016 21:35

Highsteaks - when I've been to the zoo, I'd say 90% of the children are not being physically held on to by their parents every moment.

School parties - the children are definitely not being held on to.

SoThatHappened · 29/05/2016 21:36

No of course not...but the gorillas didnt ask to be in captivity cared for by incompetent keepers and the poor boy didnt ask to have an incompetent mother.

MaddyHatter · 29/05/2016 21:36

even if there were rocks, bushes and fencing, the fact a determined 4yo was able to traverse them and fall in says loud and clear, it was inadequate.

He was FOUR, not an adult with uber parcour skills!

AprilSkies44 · 29/05/2016 21:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Feelinglesstolerantnow · 29/05/2016 21:36

agree with GArlicsteak

GirlOutNumbered · 29/05/2016 21:38

Being the mother of an escape artist, champion climber and curious george all mixed into one, I have no idea how any one can blame the mother.

Shocking.

Fairuza · 29/05/2016 21:38

April - the gorilla was dragging a tiny child around pretty roughly, do you really think firing a dart at it would have been a good course of action?

Original poster
AdrenalineFudge · 29/05/2016 21:38

I have absolutely zero sympathy for the parents. This should not have happened at all.

OP posts:
TwoLittleBlooms · 29/05/2016 21:39

I am truly sorry for the gorilla (and the person who had to pull the trigger) but I think the zoo keepers did the right thing. If that was my child I would want them saving by whatever means possible and if that means taking the life of the gorilla then so be it. That video made me feel sick, that little boy must have been so scared and I am so glad he is OK and alive. Not every gorilla is going to be as gentle or protective as Jambo (I don't really remember the case as I was quite young but I have heard of the story many times - beautiful animal).

Yes the parents should have been keeping a closer eye on their child (but saying that the little mites can be speedy - all it takes is to turn your back for a few seconds!) but I truly believe the zoo here are at fault, or rather the persons responsible for building/designing the enclosures and those that were responsible for maintaining the enclosures. There should absolutely NOT have been anyway for that poor child to get through purposely or accidentally. Safety needs to be priority and the zoo failed.

Feelinglesstolerantnow · 29/05/2016 21:39

"incompetent mother"
sothathappened that is an outrageously unfair and unkind remark.

MaddyHatter · 29/05/2016 21:39

OFGS

They couldn't tranq him because he was too agitated, it might not have worked, would have annoyed him and he was in water, he could have fallen in face first and drowned, or drowned the child by falling on him if it did work.

Can you imagine the uproar if they both dies from drowning in the attempt?

NeedACleverNN · 29/05/2016 21:39

We've already said why sedation wouldn't work april

In order to sedate an animal they need to be calm. He was too wound up so it was likely to make him drowsy but not knock him out. Instead the needle would have probably pissed him off and he could have lashed out aggressively. On top of that, the type of sedation used is dangerous to humans. If they had hit the child, he would have had no chance.

MaddyHatter · 29/05/2016 21:40

I'm glad those of you who have no sympathy for the mother are suck perfect fucking parents.

Pray karma doesn't bite you on the ass.

kali110 · 29/05/2016 21:40

I'm really sad that it died.
I blame the parents and unfortunately the zoo as you really do needto make things completely idiot proof now.

Fairuza · 29/05/2016 21:40

Any other parents you feel zero sympathy for Adrenaline? Maybe the mother of that little girl kidnapped from a shop recently?

VestalVirgin · 29/05/2016 21:41

It was right to shoot the gorilla in those circumstances. I don't even think that is a question.
Likewise for the falling in - this should not be possible.

The question I ask is: Is this normal gorilla behaviour, or was this animal behaving anormally in the first place?

I mean, gorillas are apes. Their offspring is probably about as fragile as a human child. The gorilla should have been able to recognize the boy as child.

I wonder whether this gorilla was ever used for breeding, and if so, if they separate the mothers from the males ...

MaddyHatter · 29/05/2016 21:43

Male gorillas have been known to kill offspring that aren't theirs.

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 29/05/2016 21:43

I have no sympathy for the parents, none whatsoever.

They couldn't be arsed to watch their child and it cost the life of an endangered animal. Apparently the child kept saying he wanted to go down so it's not like they could not expect it.

NeedACleverNN · 29/05/2016 21:43

It wasn't his offspring though

Even if he looked at it and thought "young baby" his instinct would have been to kill it. Silverbacks kill other males offspring if they take over a group in order to get the females pregnant quickly. Also stops any potentially heirachy throw off when the boys get old enough

Fairuza · 29/05/2016 21:44

Vestal - not sure why a gorilla should firstly recognise the boy as a 'child' (do you mean recognise it as some kind of baby ape?) and secondly why that would mean treating it gently.

VestalVirgin · 29/05/2016 21:46

On top of that, the type of sedation used is dangerous to humans. If they had hit the child, he would have had no chance.

The same applies to a bullet, though. Except perhaps for some chance to survive if it hits a non-vital part of the body. They'd have to have found the perfect moment to shoot anyway.

Sedation doesn't work immediately and might have made the gorilla even more aggressive - I think that's enough explanation.

Feelinglesstolerantnow · 29/05/2016 21:46

and people who have zero sympathy for the parents can utterly fuck off with their cruel and judgemental remarks.

acasualobserver · 29/05/2016 21:46

I have absolutely zero sympathy for the parents

I expect they'll feel their living child is adequate compensation.

MaddyHatter · 29/05/2016 21:46

Gee Chardonnay.

Maybe Mom had already told him no, and expected him to listen to her?

I guess PerfectParents have never told their child not to do something and then looked away to deal with another child and looked back and found the 4yo doing exactly what they'd been told not to.

We're not talking neglect like the Japanese parents in the news right now who left their child alone in the woods as a punishment!

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