'Justice for Harambe': Gorilla's Killing Stays Heated

Group calls on feds to penalize Cincinnati Zoo
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 31, 2016 11:38 AM CDT
'Justice for Harambe': Gorilla's Killing Stays Heated
A 2015 photo provided by the Cincinnati Zoo shows Harambe.   (Jeff McCurry/Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden via The Cincinatti Enquirer via AP)

The story of the Cincinnati Zoo's decision to kill a gorilla after a 4-year-old boy slipped into Harambe's exhibit on Saturday continues to resonate:

  • Renowned zookeeper Jack Hanna is on the zoo's side, reports USA Today.
  • The BBC looks at the abuse the child's mother is taking online, including this "Justice for Harambe" petition calling for an investigation into "parental negligence."
  • An animal watchdog group says the feds must hold the zoo accountable—because the exhibit clearly wasn't human-proof, reports the AP.
  • The Cincinnati Enquirer offers a profile of Harambe.

  • The Washington Post examines how the story has reignited the debate over the whole idea of keeping animals in captivity for our viewing pleasure.
  • Time rounds up witness accounts, including one who says the gorilla was handling the boy "like a Raggedy Ann doll."
  • Others think Harambe was being protective, and joe.co.uk has a video they say supports their case.
  • CNN's coverage takes note of two other similar incidents that had happier endings.
  • National Geographic has a fact sheet on the endangered western lowland gorilla.
(More gorilla stories.)

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