Source: James D. Morgan / Getty
CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) –
Several visitors at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo spoke to Cleveland 19 on Monday, saying that they think the mother of a little boy who wandered into the gorilla exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo is the one responsible for the death of a 17-year-old gorilla.
Marcita Sims held on to her grandson’s hand tightly Monday, telling Cleveland 19 that it’s her responsibility to make sure he’s safe.
“I’ve been holding his hand all day,” said Sims. “You have to hold on to them because they will get away from you, they get away.”
Sims said she thinks if the mother of the boy in the Cincinnati incident had done something as simple as holding onto his hand, the 450-pound endangered western lowland gorilla named Harambe would still be alive.
“I think that the parent was very irresponsible and she should, have better hold on her child and that gorilla would be alive today,” said Sims. “I feel very bad for that gorilla.”
Jessica Taylor, who brought her young child to the zoo, echoed the same sentiment, and said she’s not concerned for her young daughter’s safety at the Cleveland Zoo.
“I’m not concerned, like I said, I think it’s up to the parents,” said Taylor. “I told my husband this morning I said we won’t have to worry about that we have four adults with us constantly watching her.”
The gorilla exhibit in Cleveland is separated from visitors by a glass wall, but even if it wasn’t the parents who spoke to Cleveland 19 said their kids’ safety is their responsibility.
“You blame the poor animal – it’s not his fault. That’s where he lived,” said Sims.
It was just more than a year ago that a Columbus area mom allegedly dangled her two year old son over the cheetah exhibit at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The boy fell in, and his parents went in after to rescue him. In that incident, the cheetahs didn’t attack, the boy was rescued, and the boy’s mom was criminally charged. The mom in that case, Michelle Schwab, plead guilty to misdemeanor aggravated trespassing.
READ MORE: Cleveland19.com
Article Courtesy of WOIO Cleveland 19 News
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Visitors at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo React to Cincinnati Zoo Gorilla Death was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
