“This beautiful gorilla lost his life because the boy’s parents did not keep a closer watch on the child.” That’s the bottom line from the Justice for Harambe petition at change.org, closing-in on 500k e-signatures. The authors’ reasoning: “We the undersigned believe that the child would not have been able to enter the enclosure under proper parental supervision. Witnesses claim that they heard the child state that he wished to go into the enclosure and was actively trying to breach the barriers. This should have prompted the parents to immediately remove the child from the vicinity.” cnn.com reports that the Cincinnati police suspect that the boy’s parents are guilty of something . . .
Cincinnati police said Tuesday that their review will focus on the actions of the boy’s parents and family. It is not related to the operation or safety of the Cincinnati Zoo, authorities said.
“After the review, we will determine if charges need to be brought forward,” police spokeswoman Tiffaney Hardy said.
“If it is determined charges need to be brought forward, we would then discuss it with the Hamilton County prosecutor’s office.” The prosecutor’s office declined to say how long the investigation might take.
Harambe means is Swahili for “come together in unity for a common cause.” That common cause seems to be the vilification of the wayward boy’s mother.
I believe the mother in question had every reason to believe that her boy’s comments about accessing the moat were not prophetic — given the safety barriers in place. Still, not to coin a phrase, kids do the craziest things.
If you think a zoo is a place where a Mom should keep a special eye on a toddler– as is any crowded public space — you’re right. Anyway, TTAG’s Sara Tipton had something to say about this incident over on her Facebook page:
My thoughts on the gorilla? I don’t really care. I mean it’s one animal. But as a mother, I took a swim in the freezing Snake River Sunday to save my daughter’s $10 boot. That was to prevent her from crying because she loves those boots. Now, had she been in that gorilla exhibit for any reason, I’d have busted bones and ripped up skin to get in there and get her out. And I would have put 14 hollow points in that beast myself. That’s a mother’s instinct though. So do I question the mom? You bet.
But honestly, I’m more worried about the 125,000 babies ripped limb from limb since it happened and the 69 people shot in gun free Chicago last weekend. Call me crazy.