Former zookeeper defends fatal shooting of US gorilla
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The killing of a gorilla in a US zoo to save a young boy has continued to earn outrage online, but according to a former zoo keeper, the move was the “right thing to do.”
READ: US zoo kills gorilla after boy falls into enclosure
A Facebook post from former animal handler Amanda O’Donoughue has gone viral since Monday, in which she defended the decision of the zoo in Cincinnati, Ohio, to fatally shoot the captive gorilla, named Harmabe, to rescue the boy who fell on its enclosure.
O’Donoughue, who has closely worked with gorillas for many years, said she knew the devastating power that these animals possessed.
“I keep hearing that the gorilla was trying to protect the boy. I do not find this to be true. Harambe reaches for the boy’s hands and arms, but only to position the child better for his own displaying purposes,” she wrote, while highlighting apparent dangers of working with hulking gorillas.
“Harambe was most likely not going to separate himself from that child without seriously hurting him first (again due to mere size and strength, not malicious intent). Why didn’t they use treats? well, they attempted to call them off exhibit (which animals hate), the females in the group came in, but Harambe did not. What better treat for a captive animal than a real live kid!” she added.
The ex-zoo keeper also echoed the previous statements given by the zoo’s director, Thane Maynard, on why using a tranquilizer might not have been a good idea.
“They didn’t use tranquilizers for a few reasons, A. Harambe would’ve taken too long to become immobilized, and could have really injured the child in the process as the drugs used may not work quickly enough depending on the stress of the situation and the dose B. Harambe would’ve drowned in the moat if immobilized in the water, and possibly fallen on the boy trapping him and drowning him as well.”
Meanwhile, animal rights groups such as “STOP Animal Exploitation Now” have called for federal fines against the zoo for the killing of an endangered animal due to their own negligence.
An extensive investigation is also in place to verify the circumstances surrounding the animal’s death, while an online petition demanding “justice for Harambe” has already garnered thousands of supporters. Khristian Ibarrola
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