ThaddeusBlimp
85930
4454
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This guy died today at The Cincinnati Zoo today because of irresponsible parents. He just celebrated his 17th birthday Friday.
Yesterday Cincinnati Zoo was celebrating the 17th birthday of this amazing animal ambassador of the endangered lowland gorilla species... Today one of their employees had to make the horrible decision to pull the trigger and shoot him after a child got into his enclosure. It is not known yet for sure if the parents were holding him over the railing and dropped him or if they just weren't paying attention and he climbed over the fence himself. Either way it is completely reprehensible. Because of their negligence this beautiful innocent life was lost and someone has to carry the weight of having pulled the trigger. Luckily the boy will be fine, and it is not his fault his parents are idiots. I see people crossing barriers at the zoo, holding their children over railings, and just not paying attention as their kids run wild or harass animals ALL THE TIME! Just last week I had to yell at parents who had placed their toddler over the fence within a foot of the tiger mesh where he could have easily stuck his hand in. Normally these irrepressible parents are lucky and nothing bad happens...but not today...I am sure I am preaching to the choir, because I doubt any of my friends are these kinds of parents but I just felt like I needed to get up on my soap box. If one of my animals had to be killed to save a life because of bad parents I cannot imagine how awful I would feel. My thoughts are with all the Cincinnati staff...I hope they charge these parents and send the message that zoos will not tolerate this behavior.
FreudIsMe
Many zoo's succeed in making it impossible to get to the animals. Relying on the common sense of people is simply Naïeve.
Stibbs30
I just finished school in Cinci & we went to the zoo for senior week. I remember Harambe, was a magnificent animal and had a unique name
VolkerTheButt
They didnt really have a choice in not shooting him either, the article said the child was being dragged around by the gorilla. Tranqs would
VolkerTheButt
Take awhile to kick in and by then you'd probably have a injured or even worse dead kid, either way clearly the parents arent very attentive
napsmear
The Feels,..
imnotallowed2havefriends
I have always told my daughter that animals in the zoo are wild and will kill you if you get in their cage. That's being a parent!!!!!
idontevenknowsillymonkey
The sad thing is that the gorilla wasn't even aggressive towards the child, and now his family is in mourning.
MasterofNoneSon
Parents should be sued and banned from the Zoo for life.
EatsWithHerElbowsOnTheTable
I work at the VA Hospital right across the street from the zoo. Everyone is sad and pissed!
UncomfortableAnswers
Zoos are sad places in general. I understand why they exist, but I'm not 100% okay with wild animals in captivity.
MazrimTaim
I don't necessarily agree. Zoos allow us to study animals in habitats that often mimic their own. And a lot of effort is put into.....
MazrimTaim
Enrichment, trying to make sure the animals don't get bored / live a "normal" life. Zoos are awesome tools for education and conservation.
dizzyplaya
RIP big fella. You can rustle all the jimmies you want up there.
stephendy
We are a fucking cancer on this planet.
FreshleyBakedLePain
and yet the only ones capable of fixing it
Ophelis
Most people genuinely believe the world is a better place because we exist. It's hilarious disillusionment.
CorvetteSnow
And if the child died the zoo would have been sued millions of dollars.... Just saying . Definitely the parents fault though.
waldosbabe
I'd say, let him die, let them sue, let them shut down. Cue stricter regulations/harsher punishments.That would have been a better ending
FreshleyBakedLePain
Say that to the child you weirdo.
Hendlton
The child wouldn't understand it anyway but if a zebra walked near a lion to sniff it, we wouldn't shoot the lion.
Hendlton
But... if it's the parent's fault, wouldn't the parents lose the court case? I mean, they would in a working justice system, at least.
SilentScreamsX
I'd choose a gorilla over a child. Only one of them is endangered. And the gorilla never screamed in my ear over a 12 hour flight.
Hendlton
And you can always try and make one that isn't stupid enough to poke an animal that's 10 times it's size.
Proots
Lady at the Pittsburgh Zoo dropped her child in the painted dog exhibit. Child died, so did lots of the dogs. Suing the zoo, now. It's sad.
ElbowDeepInAHeadlessHorseman
4 prior incident reports were made to the zoo about people breaching the dog exhibit and zoo never did anything to fix it :(
Hendlton
Because who would? Why the fuck are we defending people so stupid they get into a cage with wild dogs?!
ElbowDeepInAHeadlessHorseman
Who do anything to fix it? One would assume a zoo that is trying to avoid massive lawsuits for simple lack of some wire fencing.
Proots
If I hold my child over the Hulton Bridge, so he/she can see the river - then drop them to their death, they would throw me in prison.
Proots
What I'm saying is, there's no easy answer of right and wrong. Nobody wins and everyone loses. It's so unbelievably sad.
Secretarybird
I'm a zookeeper. I hate bad parents. Even see them encouraging their kids to touch our wild animals thru bars/fencing.
Gnoll
Which exhibits do you have where it's possible to touch the animal without crossing a at least one barrier?
Secretarybird
We have a few. The ones I take care of are bird exhibits. There are plants and fencing but you can reach over if you put an effort. (1/2)
Secretarybird
We also have bird walk through exhibits where people will try to catch the birds. Some have been stolen or hurt by both parents and children
Secretarybird
Forgot to mention the ones with barriers are crane and some raptor exhibits. People like to put fingers through fencing and bars....for fun.
YouCouldntHandleMyUndividedAttention
My town....people are morning this big guy. Sad thing is parents will probably sue and win even though they were negligent. Idiots
EatsWithHerElbowsOnTheTable
My town, too. I work at the VA Hospital right across the street from the zoo.
KittyTrousers
There are witnesses claiming that the parents weren't paying attention, plus there are probably signs near the enclosure. Idk if they'd win
davehiny
They would win solely based on the fact that a 3 year old was able to access the enclosure on his own. That's a design flaw. Negligence.
davehiny
I think the parents should be charged criminally for child endangerment though. You don't let your kid out of your sight in a public place.
lawrus
Signs are irrelevant since the victim was a child. --law guy
davehiny
I don't understand why there isn't "foul ball" netting surrounding every open air enclosure. Secure below railing, suspend 15-20 ft up. Easy
ikindafail
People would bitch that it ruins their photos. Convenience for tourists vs. Safety and sanity.
davehiny
Very true, if the zoo's insurance company requires it for coverage, the nets would go up quick.
MazrimTaim
Not all enclosures have 15-20 feet of space below the railing. Most do not, in fact.
davehiny
The bottom of the netting would be attached just below floor elevation of the observation deck, the top would be suspended by wire overhead.
davehiny
It would be ideal for the animal's safety from morons who would throw things into the enclosure as well.
hurtmesomemore
Sooo we took an animal out of its native habitat, put it in an enclosure, and then shot it when we breached the enclosure... we suck...
hydrodog
We do suck. And zoos suck. There is nothing entertaining about looking at stressed and depressed animals living in tiny, enclosed spaces
FreshleyBakedLePain
Zoos aren't at all like that and are incredibly important in preservation and education. And the only way some kids see these animals.
Sasarious
You do realize they are killed way more when left out in the wild?
hydrodog
I'd rather die free than live my whole life in a cage
GroovySloth
And some zoos actually provide them with a big enough area to be in.
sciencelion
I want to point out, having used tranquilizers before, these drugs take time for full effect, 20-30 min minimum - if the animal is calm.
sciencelion
As mentioned there can be a hyper-excitability period before any sedation actually happens. When human life is involved time is a factor
sciencelion
I just see a lot of posts about "why not tranq him" and thought I may help clear up the myths of immediate sensations seen in the movies.
crazyfishlady
Thanks! I wondered about this. Figured if they had a rifle on hand, they probably had tranquilizers handy, too, and had to choose.
sciencelion
*sedation
gmj1992
Gorillas are beautiful creatures and it aches my heart to see one of them pass
mcgoniclefoosties
Hate to be judgmental but the parents should have been watching their child closer. Yes. People are idiots, esp 4 yr olds.
obviouslythisisntmyrealnamewhatwereyouthinking
Not defending the parents, but i wouldve expected the gorilla enclosure to be Totally inaccessible for safety of animals & people
MazrimTaim
Really nothing in inaccessible if you're determined enough.
KingsAndQueens
Agreed. Trouble is I think a lot of the time people don't plan for people trying to get into the enclosures with dangerous animal.
Lulabel73
I'm with you. There's always some poor mentally ill person trying to get into animal enclosures.
Hendlton
OK, why are we protecting people like that, again?
Lulabel73
Some people need protecting.
Hendlton
Maybe but when someone like that dies because they dont know better than to poke a sleeping lion,we shouldnt blame and kill the lion for it.
kiley3137
I never have thought kids under 10 should even go to any amusement parks or zoos. Way too much to deal with.
trujello2013
It aggravates me how many people are saying they should've shot the kid! Wtf people! It's shitty parenting that caused this! The kid may not
trujello2013
Have known better! But yea ok, let's kill a little fn kid! (2)
BlueDsc
I think most of them are joking.
trujello2013
I kinda don't! Hopefully they are tho!
Hendlton
If a kid doesn't know that it shouldn't poke animals 10 times it's size, does it deserve to live?
trujello2013
Honestly depends on the age. Kids don't just pop out of a vag knowing shit. Parents are supposed to teach their children these things, and
trujello2013
Judging by this kids parents, he prob didn't know better. It's still shitty parenting and falls back on them, not the child! But ask it now
trujello2013
If it'd do it again and I bet it's learned! MOST children are innocent
Sionas
Make them liable
silntbtdedly
Makes me sick. I was at the zoo today. Black bear was stressed and hiding in a back corner. Fucking kids yelling at it. Parents do nothing.
WhatShouldMyUsernameBeSomethingCatsOrTitsOhWhoEvenCaresAnymore
I have this dream of chopping said parents heads off.
gnargnar99
Why do you support zoos lol
silntbtdedly
Because zoos are cheaper than safaris and they provide excellent learning experiences for kids. Providing parents pay attention to the kids
gnargnar99
Learning about how we like to kidnap and imprison animals for money?
silntbtdedly
Right...that's exactly it. How'd you know?? Keep your ignorance to yourself.
gnargnar99
Lol what?
justmoral
Well, that's why we as a society shouldnt support zoos. I stopped going to try zoo years ago for the treatment of the animals.
CapableTrash
I remember going to the San Diego zoo and seeing a douche canoe and his gf throwing things at the cougars to try and wake them up
silntbtdedly
Those rectum nazis.
MaryJaneAnn
Ugh. I'm not so sure we should have zoos. There was the dude that attempted suicide by jumping in an enclosure last wk, then this.
DirtySneakyDoubleCrossingCunnivinMuthafucka
I think we shouldn't have zoo's. If you really wanna see animals, see them in the wild, maybe take pictures. They killed giraffes in denmark
DirtySneakyDoubleCrossingCunnivinMuthafucka
Because it was a male and it was not genetically unique enough. Why the fuck would you put a giraffe in fuckin denmark ?!
thagooeyjuice
lemmonjello
well to be fair the guy could have just shot the child
prfesser
Doubt it; that sort of thing gets you talked about.
ImTodd
Should have shot the child. The world would be better with out the safety nets
therealgrennhald
Now that's the kind of comments I come to user sub for!
Pipetri
This should be standard protocol.
deepfriedcatheads
I would be so upset if I grew up and heard a gorilla got killed because my parents didn't pay attention and let me be a stupid shit at 3yo.
navajoe
ceisea
Should have shot the parents.
kosmoosi
I thought the same thing.
steelerchief
3 year old has no cognitive sense of gorilla enclosure boundary. Even 3 year old Einstein would have done this. Shoot the parents. Idiots.
waldosbabe
In all good humor there is some truth
LibraShane
No Shit. Seniority rules smh.
Spune
No, that's not justice either. They should have tossed the gun between the child and the gorilla and let them battle to decide who lives.
SonicTheEdgehogg
aah finally real justice!
aromaticfable
...I see you play Dwarf Fortress.
Spune
Perhaps you should get glasses then.
aromaticfable
What?
Spune
Your sight needs correction.
Eanikran
like that scene from Dark Knight
Agent
It's what Darwin would have wanted.
reverendleonard
+1
MartyFreeze
Someone has to break the cycle.
ProbablySomeUselessHuman
They shot the wrong hominoidea.
Orktapus
No no, it wasn't a gay gorilla...
MazrimTaim
Hominoidea, as in the superfamily. Colloquially referred to as apes. HOMI, not HOMO. Ignorant...
ProbablySomeUselessHuman
Well I mean... To be fair, that gorilla may or may not have been a homo...
MazrimTaim
Based on my rudimentary knowledge of the species, that's highly unlikely.
jellis45
http://m.wave3.com/wave/db_383316/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=biiwLNun sauce.
ImHereToPissYouOff
Under the railing through the fence & over the wall into the moat. Good god how shitty were these parents?!
jellis45
Been to the exhibit myself, the moat is atleast 10-15ft deep, how the hell the kid got down there is another thing
kingluffy100
I'm seeing all kinds of hate for the zoo in this situation. People are complaining that the gorilla should have been tranqed (1)
Hopeabnormal
Ive been to this zoo lately tho. I think safety measures also need to be investigated. 1/2
Hopeabnormal
Ive seen several comments and experienced myself that the fence seemed really, really low.
kingluffy100
Or that the zoo shouldn't have had the gorilla in the first place. Complaining about keeping them penned up in small areas their whole life2
kingluffy100
A tranq would likely have agitated the gorilla, possibly making it violent. Their is no such thing as a tranquilizer that is effective (3)
kingluffy100
immediately. Also the Cincinnati Zoo is a world leader in efforts to bring back endangered species like the lowland gorilla.Unfortunately(3)
kingluffy100
it is nigh impossible to protect every gorilla in the wild. So the work must be done here, in Cincinnati, where there are no jungles (5)
kingluffy100
It is unfortunate that this happened, but the zoo is not in the wrong and are likely devastated by what has happened.
offendineveryway
The zoo should sue the parents for negligence
iwantedtoupvotesooooo
Then someone can sue the zoo for displacing the gorilla from his natural habitat in the first place.
willowtreewade
No idea why this is being down voted.. Fuck zoo's, taking animals from their natural habitat
nrobertson12321
You do know that the reason why many species haven't gone completely extinct is solely because of zoos and their breeding programs, right?
StarrrryNight
Why did the Gorilla need to be shot? I'm missing something.
CloisteredMoistOysters
He dragged the boy and held him underwater. It was not a brief ordeal. They tried to call the gorilla away, but he wouldn't let go.
StarrrryNight
fair enough. that's unfortunate
iloveithowimgurallowsyoutohaveincrediblylongusernames
No. The incident happened extremely fast. Improper securing of the enclosure. More freak accident. Not really parents fault.
Jagergeist
Unfortunately yes, the zoo dies bear the responsibility of making the enclosure idiot proof.
tacoforest
If there's anything I've learned over my life, there's no such thing when it comes to humans.
Calmeister
you put a wild animal in an enclosure and you expect him to act civil when his territory get compromised? you blame him for being one.
iloveithowimgurallowsyoutohaveincrediblylongusernames
When did I say I expected the animal to behave civilized? Didn't mention that part of the incident. Never said I blamed the animal, moron.
Calmeister
Its because you simply dismiss the situation as-not the parents fault. The thing is, all is good but when somebody get hurt-ehem Died,well..
ThatsMySecretCapImAlwaysHorny
They'd counter sue for the zoo being irresponsible enough to let them in
R3tr0P0tat0
Yes!
bluecollarbiochemist
They probably do, but if they feared the child was in danger, a tranquilizer might not be fast acting enough.
imgursucksandphucyou
Funny. Would have saved a lot of stress if the bitch mom was there with her little butthole. <--Brutal honesty
offendineveryway
Just sick of hearing these stories about perfectly good animals being killed because of fucking stupid people and their unnecessary kids
deepfriedcatheads
They said that being 400lbs it would be too slow acting and the gorilla may have acted aggresively upon being "shot" by a tranq dart.
CeruleanRonin
You meant to reply to the comment about tranqs right? You replied to the comment above it I guess.
HoneyandFire
Wife worked at zoo. They have shoot to kill orders for big predators and shit. Ppl should be warned but aren't.
bluecollarbiochemist
Yep. Fat fingers, small phone!
RAGESTARVED
No, standard procedure is to tranquilize negligent parents on the spot, then move them into a shaming exhibit for the other zoo patrons.
gebraheel
This absolutely needs to be a thing.
lawrus
Impossible. There are no damages. Zoo animals by law cannot be purchased, so the gorilla had no value. --law guy
IAlwaysBakeMyTaters
Gg
ActionAndy
I'm certain a case could be made for the lost potential revenue that the gorilla would bring to the zoo.
lawrus
That's possible, but it'd be difficult. You typically cannot get lost revenue damages from something like this.
MaryJaneAnn
In civil suits everything has a value, the trickier part is trying to decide the worth of such things. But everything has monetary value.
lawrus
Not always true.
rstanley
Ask Pittsburgh Zoo how well that worked.The parent counter-sued because the zoo allowed them to be stupid enough to hang a child over
Kopar
1) Probably not in their interest. Tragic and awful, but even if it was the parents fault, taking it to court means a fight for probably
lawrus
Also no damages
Kopar
3) the press of suing a visitor unless it's absolutely clear. Even then, they're more likely to receive sympathy without the lawsuit.
Kopar
2) money they don't have and even if they're fairly certain it was the parents fault, it may not be provable beyond doubt. You don't want
InternetLawyer
I agree, not a good idea to sue, but they only have to prove "more likely than not" to win in a lawsuit. lower reqs than in criminal cases
MaryJaneAnn
This. That's what I was going to mention regarding civil suits- proving more likely than not. Criminal cases- beyond a reasonable doubt.
willtroll4nudes
or build people proof enclosures.
kosmoosi
Or they could have shot the child instead - everybody wins.
Bearclaws8181
It sucks bad that a gorilla was killed, but to want a 4 year old child killed instead is monstrous. Wtf is wrong with you.
Figgins85
Assuming you don't understand jokes
kosmoosi
Assuming I was joking.
Fairdinkums
I can imagine the shot being fired and a big sigh of relief from everyone on the outside of the enclosure and the parents
khaleesimotherofkittycats
Come on, it's not the kid's fault, it's the parents'!
MadAtreides
I don't know, the child was obviously testing if natural selection still works
TraitorousTrump3
So, you're saying shoot the parents, tranquilize the kid & gorilla?
Dunhaaam
So what you're saying is shoot the parents
Goku2012
Yes
imgursucksandphucyou
Absolutely, bad blood lines apparently.
Dyslexicglove
Why is everyone saying this? Does no one have any experience with children? Do you not understand how easily toddlers can get into mischief?
sadiii
Is that an excuse for parents not to monitor their children, especially in area with wild animals? Please don't reproduce. Thanks.
Dyslexicglove
Seriously. This is not an excuse. In the time that it takes you to reach into your bag and get them a snack, they can disappear.
Dyslexicglove
You obviously have no idea what toddlers are like. I bet you've never even owned a puppy. How could someone think things are this simple?
thedevil
Fuck that, prosecute them. Sueing is about money, this deserves prosecution and legal action.
Dunhaaam
Yeah!
cookiemonger
Kids are quick though turn your back for a second and they're gone. What happens if the kid has good parents that mess up. They end up 1/2
JustHereForTheWorkStories
You don't turn your back on your kid at a zoo. Sorry. Nope. Not an excuse. You are 100% responsible for them. This is deplorable parenting.
cookiemonger
Look I don't have kids but I've watched them. They're fast. If you have more than one then your attention is divided. Just putting myself 1/
cookiemonger
In their shoes.
cookiemonger
In the system with people that might treat them poorly. 2/2
DblDtchRddr
As compared to the gorilla, whose "system" decided that death was the answer. Yeah, they treated him GREAT. Give the parents a turn!
ecodude
Although, if there is a time to be extra careful and attentive with your kids, it's when they are about ten feet from deadly wild animals.
imgursucksandphucyou
In a busy public place. You have hawk eyes on that child. Regardless of what's going on.
Dogzzz
I disagree
thedevil
How so?
SP4RF
The zoo still has a responsibility to keep visitors, even the stupid ones, out of enclosures.
thedevil
Ah yes because tons of sign and a fence aren't enough. Have you been to a zoo?
SP4RF
Signs may be meaningless to a small child, and a "ton" of fences clearly didn't work
SaintMaceToTheFace
Yep. If anything them being able to get a kid in the enclosure is negligence on the part of the zoo
thedevil
You're joking right? You are part of the problem with this country.
chunkybith
In fairness a kid can get away from their parents it's not their fault and there should be some sort of chain link fence preventing entry l
HoodRatMessiah
I live in Cincinnati and according to a zoo official, the child climbed under the wire fence and fell in. Non the less, it should still 1/2
Hopeabnormal
Have you seen this exhibit though? The rails are so low. I want to know if there are standards for height not followed.
HoodRatMessiah
The parents fault for not watching their kid
punchyouintheovaries
Have to agree here. All the people replying to this and being down voted - rightfully so - really need to take this into consideration. 1/?
punchyouintheovaries
Why take your children to an environment where you NEED to supervise them if you know you're not capable of that? Your child could 2/?
punchyouintheovaries
potentially put themselves in the way of danger and you're all preaching about how hard it is to hard kids or that it's hard with 1/?
punchyouintheovaries
multiple kids. Simple - if you can't keep them safe in such an environment DON'T TAKE THEM THERE. Risking your childs life or the life 4/?
badassbubbaj
I feel like a four year old should know not to jump into moat, they probably killed it to give the kid a couple more years.
MrJackBell
last i heard was only a transquilizer shot, and the kid was serously injured?
deepfriedcatheads
At 400lbs it would have taken too long to have effect plus the gorilla may have acted aggresively at being darted.
itsawalkway
It was a bullet from a high caliber weapon, and the kid was hospitalized for non life-threatening injuries. Source: I was at that zoo yester
arereallyallusernamestaken
Kid was released from the hospital this morning.
Goku2012
*Nonetheless is one word
YourJimmiesAreMadeForRustlingAndThatsJustWhatIllDo
"You're annoying" is two words
NipplesOfTheNorth
Who the fuck cares
sweatshopkids
People that aren't stupid care. Hence your downvotes.
MissPeabody
Noone likes you
Goku2012
Yes, ignorance can be frustrating. It's common for the simple-minded to get angry at things that are too hard for them to comprehend.
igetaroundroundroundround
Did you mean your original post in an insulting or informative manner, guku2012? Maybe say you liked the post, and btw X is misspelled.
Goku2012
I shouldn't have to clarify. And I'm always informative when it comes to grammar. Never insulting.