Gorilla Shot Dead After Grabbing Child That Fell in Zoo Enclosure

CINCINNATI, OH - A gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo was shot dead after it grabbed a 4-year-old child that fell into its enclosure on Saturday.

The child climbed through a public barrier at Gorilla World at around 4 p.m. and fell into the exhibit’s moat, according to a statement from the zoo. Two female gorillas in the exhibit were recalled immediately, but the third, a male, remained in the yard with the child.

The Cincinnati Fire Department responded to the scene just before 4 p.m. when they were notified by fire dispatch that a child was in the gorilla pen.

According to a statement from the fire department, when firefighters arrived at the pen, "they witnessed a gorilla who was violently dragging and throwing the child."

The child remained conscious throughout the event and it took approximately 10-15 minutes to rescue the child. A zoo employee shot the gorilla with a long rifle, neutralizing the threat. The child was in between the gorilla's legs when the animal was shot.

Firefighters retrieved the child who was given a full trauma assessment and taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Zoo spokesman Thayne Maynard told NBC News the gorilla wasn't tranquilized because in such a large animal it would take several minutes for the tranquilizer to take effect. He also said the gorilla didn't appear to be attacking the child, but it was "an extremely strong" animal in an agitated situation.

The gorilla was a 400 pound male Western lowland silverback named Harambe.

“The Zoo security team’s quick response saved the child’s life. We are all devastated that this tragic accident resulted in the death of a critically-endangered gorilla,” Maynard said in a statement. “This is a huge loss for the Zoo family and the gorilla population worldwide.”

The zoo offered its thoughts and prayers to the little boy and his family.

Gorilla World will be closed until further notice.

(Warning: The video below contains strong content)

Harambe had celebrated his 17th birthday on May 27.

Image via Cincinnati Zoo