I have nothing but sympathy for the Cincinnati zoo staff

[cali]

These people had to make a heartbreaking decision. Second guessing them strikes me as ridiculous. Whatever Harambe was doing, whatever his intention toward the kid, a 4 year old is vulnerable to grave injury from an animal that size. I don't believe for a second that the decision was a hasty or careless one.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

1. Same here

It's a tragedy.

At the same time, I admit to being appalled at those who equate an animal's life with a human's life.

[femmocrat]

2. I agree. It is very sad and difficult all around.

He was a magnificent animal, but he could not be permitted to seriously injure (or worse) a child. Blaming the parents might help some to cope, but what if that child had died and it could have been prevented?

There was a incident several years ago at the Pittsburgh Zoo where a pack of African dogs mauled a toddler to death. Horrible and very traumatizing.

[Hoyt]

3. Gotta agree. Don't think they had much choice, but darn whole thing is a tragedy.

It's good for kids and others to see these magnificent animals, but the whole zoo thing just makes me a little sick. Would prefer IMAX zoos, or something, where animals are in the wild.

[harrose]

4. Well, it *was* a hasty decision (it had to be)...

... but it was also the correct one. To have to shoot an animal they've been caring for for years had to be heartbreaking. My sympathies to them.

[cali]

7. It was not hasty. The child was in the enclosure for several minutes utes

before they shot Harambe

[harrose]

9. Fair enough.

I stand corrected then.

[Marengo]

5. I worked in the Cincinnati Zoo, I know these people...

Their level of devotion to preservation and education is profound. We can only imagine the anguish of the staff that had to make the decision and actually pull the trigger. These people are not killers, quite the opposite.

[nolabear]

6. Absolutely. I guarantee you they are miserable and deserve support.

The internet has been the WORST for letting people who know nothing deride others for making impossible choices.

[rurallib]

8. Totally agree - hope they can find however that kid got into the enclosure

somehow there is a hole that got by some inspections.

Those folks had to make one really tough decision in an instant.