RIP Harambe

[tubeswell]

The fate of threatened species in zoos of the world.



We'd shoot again says Zoo Director

[Enzo]

I remember an event some time ago where an infant fell into the ape pit at some zoo, and horrified onlookers watched as a large gorilla picked up the baby and started carrying it around the pen. However, the gorilla carried the baby over to the access door where the zookeepers entered, and waited for them to come, when she gave the baby to the zoo staff. As far as I know, they never shot her.

[Lance]

There is some analysis of the video of this incident where people are saying the same kind of thing was happening. From what I saw of it, I would have had to agree.

[Мастер]

I remember an event some time ago where an infant fell into the ape pit at some zoo, and horrified onlookers watched as a large gorilla picked up the baby and started carrying it around the pen. However, the gorilla carried the baby over to the access door where the zookeepers entered, and waited for them to come, when she gave the baby to the zoo staff. As far as I know, they never shot her.

That would have been Binti Jua in the Brookfield Zoo, Chicago (one that I had visited many times, including the gorilla enclosure).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binti_Jua

It's not shown in the Wikipedia article, but I seem to recall that her actions including keeping the other gorillas away from the human, although I don't know whether that's really accurate or not.

[Lance]

I just saw more of the video and have changed my opinion. I now believe the child was in imminent danger and the zookeepers acted appropriately.

No less a tragedy but at least it wasn't an over reaction.

[Heid the Ba]

I haven't seen the video but I'll trust the zookeeper's judgement. They would not have done this lightly.

[tubeswell]

The tragedy in my view is not so much the trigger-happy way in which the endangered specimen was dispatched.

Zoos' stock-in-trade is the endangered exotic animals of the world that they are entrusted to protect, for which they can charge a premium to members of the public to see.

That the gorilla was on public display in an antiquated enclosure that was not even child-proof is a travesty.

The parents of the innocent child were obviously naive and take their own safety and that of their children for granted. Maybe they even feel an entitlement that others in the world should protect their children if they feel like being neglectful of their own offspring in a public place now and again. Nevertheless I think they should acknowledge their culpability in the devastation and reimburse the zoo a token payment for their part in the collective negligence that ended up in the unfortunate captive gorilla being executed.

[Heid the Ba]

Elsewhere fucking Buddhists in a fucking temple trafficking in tiger parts and killing tiger cubs. Fuck them all and their baldy fat fucking god sitting under a tree. Karma and re-incarnation doesn't seem to be much of a deterrent.

With apologies for the rant and threadjack, I didn't want to start another one.

[Arneb]

The tragedy in my view is not so much the trigger-happy way in which the endangered specimen was dispatched.

Zoos' stock-in-trade is the endangered exotic animals of the world that they are entrusted to protect, for which they can charge a premium to members of the public to see.

That the gorilla was on public display in an antiquated enclosure that was not even child-proof is a travesty.

The parents of the innocent child were obviously naive and take their own safety and that of their children for granted. Maybe they even feel an entitlement that others in the world should protect their children if they feel like being neglectful of their own offspring in a public place now and again. Nevertheless I think they should acknowledge their culpability in the devastation and reimburse the zoo a token payment for their part in the collective negligence that ended up in the unfortunate captive gorilla being executed.

+1

True I'd enter any zoo in the civilized world assuming the barriers between the animals and my kids will prevent them from climbing into the enclosure. Still, the thought of losing sight of my kid, see her/him climbing into a wild animal enclosure, being carried off by the enclosed animal and being saved only the by killing of a beautiful creature that had no beef with me or my child gives me shivers. How could I EVER let that happen?

[Heid the Ba]

Agreed, but I think a lot of the problem is that most zoo enclosures are designed to keep the animals in rather than people out.

[Arneb]

I know that now...

[Enzo]

At least the chimps have the decency to just throw their shit in your face.

We have to deal with the stunning ability of humans to be stupid. Every so often someone holds their kid over the rail to get a closer look, and a chimp grabs their arm or some such.

When I had a working farm city people would come out to visit. They'd spot the gaggle of geese wandering the yard and say "Oh look at the ducks." "Geese" "Oh, well do they bite?" "Yes, they do." And they ignore that and walk over to them trying to pet them. Geese adore being petted in their own homes, but not so much by humans. So they bite... HARD. Mainly to get a grip so they can beat you with their wings...HARD. How many "Do not feed the bears" signs must national park visitors ignore before they go ahead and feed them anyway? bears bite too...HARD.

[Lianachan]

I haven't seen the video but I'll trust the zookeeper's judgement. They would not have done this lightly.

Precisely my view. The decision to shoot was taken by people who know gorillas and their behaviour far better than I, or any of those currently outraged on social media, do.

[Heid the Ba]

I had this discussion again in the office with someone who insisted the gorilla was protecting the child. They had no useful answer to "So how would you get the child out of the enclosure?"

[Lance]

[Enzo]

Turns out they shot the gorilla, but he was only reaching for his wallet to get out his ID. The gun they found on him later seems suspicious to many observers.

[Мастер]

While searching the for the image above, I came across this.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -real.html

[tubeswell]

Nevertheless the Gorilla was a captive, under the care of the zoo. The child was an escapee, under the care of his parents.

[Arneb]

Yes, that 's the one thing co responsible parent can get away from.