'Accidents happen' Fury as family pass off gorilla shooting after child fell in enclosure
THE mother of the four-year-old boy who fell into a gorilla enclosure causing the animal to be shot has said that "accidents happen."
Terror as gorilla grabs boy after he falls into Ohio zoo enclosure
Michelle Gregg was criticised on Facebook after posting a response to the death of the gorilla Harambe - a 17-year-old, 400lb male after her son crawled through the barrier.
She posted: "We are quick to judge how a parent could take their eyes of their child and if anyone knows me I keep a tight watch on my kids.
Accidents happen but I am thankful that the right people were in the right place."
A campaign has been set up demanding justice for the gorilla which was shot dead after a little boy fell into his enclosure.
Shocking scenes unfolded at Cincinnati Zoo when a four-year-old was able to overcome a series of barriers to get inside the Gorilla World pen.
Dropping around 10 to 12 foot, the youngster caught the attention of the 17-year-old Western Lowland male gorilla, named Harambe.
Perceiving the boy was in immediate danger, and as witnesses looked on in horror at Harambe dragging and throwing the child around, the decision was made to use lethal force.
Zoo officials later said live rounds were used instead of tranquilliser, as it takes a few minutes to work and they could not risk immediate aggression to the boy.
Critics have fiercely questioned why the 28 stone endangered animal was forced to be out down, amid claims the ape was protecting the tot.
A petition has since been set up on change.org calling for the parents to be charged with child negligence and the death of an endangered animal.
Being signed by more than 100,000 people, it says: “This beautiful gorilla lost his life because the boy's parents did not keep a closer watch on the child.
A petition has since been set up on change.org calling for the parents to be charged
What makes all of this worse is that Harambe wasn't being aggressive. At all. I hope those parents get prosecuted. #justiceforharambe
— Valentina Cano (@valca85) May 30, 2016
“We the undersigned believe that the child would not have been able to enter the enclosure under proper parental supervision.
“It is believed that the situation was caused by parental negligence and the zoo is not responsible for the child's injuries and possible trauma.
“We the undersigned want the parents to be held accountable for the lack of supervision and negligence that caused Harambe to lose his life.
“We the undersigned feel the child's safety is paramount in this situation. We believe that this negligence may be reflective of the child's home situation.
Michelle Gregg and Deonne Dickerson
This beautiful gorilla lost his life because the boy's parents did not keep a closer watch on the child
“We the undersigned actively encourage an investigation of the child's home environment in the interests of protecting the child and his siblings from further incidents of parental negligence that may result in serious bodily harm or even death.”
But the boy’s mother, Michelle Greg, has defended herself saying “accidents happen”.
She posted on social media: “What started off as a wonderful day turned into a scary one.
"For those of you that have seen the news or been on social media that was my son that fell in the gorilla exhibit at the zoo.
Critics have fiercely questioned why the 28 stone endangered animal was forced to be out down
RIP ?????? Beautiful #harambe shot dead because parents can't keep eyes on their children at a zoo. #justiceforharambe pic.twitter.com/qF6NMf7ShJ
— Rebecca Watson ? (@becca_louwatson) May 30, 2016
"My son is safe and was able to walk away with a concussion and a few scrapes... no broken bones or internal injuries.
"As a society we are quick to judge how a parent could take their eyes off of their child and if anyone knows me I keep a tight watch on my kids.
“Accidents happen but I am thankful that the right people were in the right place today."
Her son was later taken to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre where he is not said to have sustained any serious injuries.
Shocking scenes unfolded at the Zoo when a four-year-old was able to overcome a series of barriers
I hope the parents are held accountable for their negligence. None of this was Harambe's fault. @CincinnatiZoo #justiceforharambe
— Whitney (@Whitney_Goodson) May 29, 2016
Alongside the petition, a Facebook page called Justice For Harambe has also bee set up, which has more than 2,000 likes.
The page says Harambe was a “prisoner in a zoo” and was “murdered”.
The 74-year-old who raised Harambe from birth, Jerry Stones, was heartbroken after the “gentle giant” was killed.
He said: “He was a special guy in my life. Harambe was my heart. It's like losing a member of the family.
Michelle Gregg and Deonne Dickerson
“I raised him from a baby, he was a sweet cute little guy. He grew up to be a pretty, beautiful male. He was very intelligent. Very, very intelligent.
"His mind was going constantly. He was just such a sharp character."
The zoo also fiercly defended shooting the gorilla, claiming the child as in immediate danger.
Director Thane Maynard said: "They made a tough choice and they made the right choice because they saved that little boy's life.”