I'm A Sucker For Debates, So I'm Up Going Back And Forth With People On Facebook On This Situation…

the parents are facing possible charges. I haven't gotten involved in it, but there was a similar incident a few years ago in which the gorilla was not killed and in fact, protected the child that fell....so idk how I feel about it.

In this case we saw the child being dragged, so I would take it as more of a threat rather than protection. If They Would Have Taken It Lightly And Just Shot Him With A Tranq, He Probably Would Have Gotten Mad, Harmed The Child And Had To Be Killed Anyway So Legally They Couldn't Take The Risk. @kayloniandkirksmommy

@theinkedmommy, I'm sorry, but I don't think the parent.. Being the mother should be getting based on! In a crowed place with a baby and a four year old isn't easy all she had to do was look away for a split second and the little boy walked off into the crowed! I'm not saying this to be rude or in a (pissy tone) I'm just saying that accidents happen! And this is one that could have ended up way worse and people are just bashing on this mother, imagine if you were in this position!!

I think what's got people most upset is that that particular type of gorilla is extremely endangered and this incident just means that they're that much closer to becoming extinct. :/ personally, my opinion is that had the parents been watching in the first place then this never would have happened. I don't think it should have been killed either personally but at the same time I'm not sure what else could have been done; it was a split-second decision and a very difficult one at that.

@mommytobe0821, initially I was like "mom wasn't watching her kid and now a gorilla is dead". Then I did research. I read everything that is online. You can't believe everything but I wanted a clear understanding of the basics. The gorilla was in an open enclosure. Meaning the only thing keeping him in the enclosure was the moat. The boy went through the fencing (from my understanding it was just ropes) and three feet past the fencing is the drop to the moat. I have a five year old. He could have went from right next to me to three feet away in a matter of seconds! One lady who was a bystander said the boy was holding his moms back pocket while she took a picture of the gorilla and then he was gone. It happened so quickly. Another lady says she tried to grab the boy but it was too late. We will never know the story 100% because we weren't there. However, the gorilla is dead and nothing changes that. The boy was able to get into a very dangerous situation way to quickly and there is no changing that. The zoo isn't in the wrong however I feel like improvements need to be made so curious children aren't in danger. I don't think the gorilla was trying to hurt the boy. I think he was trying to protect him but I'm just a mom watching a video clip. He holds the boys hand. He checks him for injuries. He pulls him close when the boy tries to back up. I don't think he was hurting him. Yet. Who knows how quickly that could have changed. We don't know the demeanor of the gorilla or any gorilla when it comes to human life. I'm not saying the gorilla is less important than the boy so he deserved to die. I'm saying as a bystander I would instantly want the boy saved. A gorilla enclosure is not where a child should be. Hopefully zoos everywhere look at this incident and make changes to ensure visitors cannot get to the wild animals.

Amen! @amandafikes

I Understand what everybody is saying. it's a lot of people and factors to consider. The parent should have been watching him better, the zoo should have better barriers, etc.

in the video, it looks as if the gorilla was trying to protect the child. i dont believe in evolution but we are very similar to them and a crying child can provoke the maternal and paternal side of an animal.

@mommytobe0821, the child was dragged in the original incident too. it is instinct for the gorilla. I have no opinion on it because either way it's heated, it is a shame the gorilla had to die because his specific species is extremely endangered, but it had to be done.

@theinkedmommy, I agree with you. It's very unfortunate that the gorilla had to die if there was no other way to save the child. I know kids can be wild and get away from the parents. In my opinion I blame the parents, and if this happened to my child I honesty know I would be blaming myself 💯

but no doubt, the zoo should have had a secondary barrier. see, I know i can't trust my 2 year old out of a stroller so that's just how it goes for us....because, let's face it, my 2 year old would do something like this because she wanted to play in the water....

Oh wow @lp1988727 a couple of barriers makes it a little different 😕 poor baby I'm sure he was terrified.