X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

Zookeeper’s post about Harambe’s death goes viral

2 Jun, 2016
Zookeeper’s post about Harambe’s death goes viral

“I know one thing for sure, those keepers lost a beautiful, and I mean gorgeous silverback and friend. I feel their loss with them this week.

Much has been said about the death of 17-year-old silverback gorilla Harambe at the Cincinnati Zoo, when he was shot death after a boy crept into the enclosure and fell into the animal’s den.

On one hand, people are saying that instead of being put down, the endangered animal could have saved had a tranquilizer been used, and besides, the parents should be held accountable; if they had been paying attention, their child wouldn’t have fallen into the den.

On the other, people are saying that if they hadn’t put the animal down, the child could have lost his life.

But during a wrought time, the Cincinnati Zoo’s Dangerous Animal Response Team had to act, and quickly, and so they chose one life over another, and in the end it was the boy’s.

“We are heartbroken about losing Harambe,” said the zoo in a statement, “but a child’s life was in danger and a quick decision had to be made.”

Now zookeeper Amanda O’Donoughue is adding her two-cents into the discourse; in a viral Facebook post, she discusses many valid points regarding the zoo’s decision.

She says: “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).

“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 have drowned in the moat if immobilized in the water, and possibly fallen on the boy trapping him and drowning him as well.

“Many zoos have the protocol to call on their expertly trained dart team in the event of an animal escape or in the event that a human is trapped with a dangerous animal. They will evaluate the scene as quickly and as safely as possible, and will make the most informed decision as how they will handle the animal.”

In the end, Amanda stresses the importance of animal enclosures, and how no visitor should ever find themselves on the other side of it.

“I know one thing for sure, those keepers lost a beautiful, and I mean gorgeous silverback and friend,” she says. “I feel their loss with them this week.

“As educators and conservators of endangered species, all we can do is shine a light on the beauty and majesty of these animals in hopes to spark a love and a need to keep them from vanishing from our planet.”

READ: The horrifying day my toddler fell out the window

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Partner Stories
Next-Gen Ford Everest: 6 Reasons Why This Is Your Family's Next Dream Car!
Next-Gen Ford Everest: 6 Reasons Why This Is Your Family's Next Dream Car!
Gut Health and Probiotic Survival Rate
Gut Health and Probiotic Survival Rate
Evelyn Ng, P&G high ranking executive, shares her story as a career woman and a working mom
Evelyn Ng, P&G high ranking executive, shares her story as a career woman and a working mom
Creating an Absolute-ly Merry Christmas
Creating an Absolute-ly Merry Christmas

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

James Martinez

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Lifestyle Section
  • /
  • Zookeeper’s post about Harambe’s death goes viral
Share:
  • 2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

    2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

  • 6 Filipina authors of children’s books and their award-winning works

    6 Filipina authors of children’s books and their award-winning works

  • Women’s month: Iba’t ibang activities para sa buwan ng kababaihan

    Women’s month: Iba’t ibang activities para sa buwan ng kababaihan

  • 2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

    2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

  • 6 Filipina authors of children’s books and their award-winning works

    6 Filipina authors of children’s books and their award-winning works

  • Women’s month: Iba’t ibang activities para sa buwan ng kababaihan

    Women’s month: Iba’t ibang activities para sa buwan ng kababaihan

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at lifestyle update.