Former zookeeper defends the killing of Harambe

Amanda O’Donoughue said she felt compelled to “list a few facts” about the species after 17-year-old silverback Harambe was shot by zoo workers after four-year-old Isiah Greg fell into its enclosure on Saturday.

Footage filmed on a mobile phone shows the 17-year-old gorilla on all fours standing over the boy. The 200kg primate turns the boy around before pulling on his clothing and “dragging” him away f-rom horrified onlookers.

“Harambe was most likely not going to separate himself f-rom that child without seriously hurting him first (again due to mere size and strength, not malicious intent),” wrote Ms O’Donoghue in a facebook post which has been shared more than 1.1 million times.

“I keep hearing that the gorilla was trying to protect the boy. I do not find this to be true.

“Harambe reaches for the boys hands and arms, but only to position the child better for his own displaying purposes.

“Males do very elaborate displays when highly agitated, slamming and dragging things about. Typically they would drag large branches, barrels and heavy weighted balls around to make as much noise as possible, not in an effort to hurt anyone or anything (usually) but just to intimidate.

“It was clear to me that he was reacting to the screams coming f-rom the gathering crowd.

“Harambe was most likely not going to separate himself f-rom that child without seriously hurting him first (again due to mere size and strength, not malicious intent).”

Ms O’Donoghue said that despite being considered “gentle giants” in comparison to their aggressive cousins, the chimpanzee, a male gorilla in his prime is “as strong as roughly 10 adult humans”.

“An adult male silverback gorilla has one job, to protect his group,” Ms O’Donoghue wrote.

“He does this by bluffing or intimidating anything that he feels threatened by.

“I have watched this video over again and with the silverback’s posturing, and tight lips, it’s pretty much the stuff of any keeper’s nightmares.

“I have had MANY while working with them. This job is not for the complacent. Gorillas are kind, curious, and sometimes silly, but they are also very large, very strong animals.”

Harambe, a western lowland gorilla, who was fatally shot on to protect a four-year-old boy who had entered its exhibit.Source:AP

Witnesses said Isiah had told his parents he wanted to get into the exhibit before climbing over a one-metre barrier, falling 4.6m into a moat. Zookeepers shot the gorilla after he violently dragged and tossed the child.

“Gorillas are considered a Class 1 mammal, the most dangerous class of mammals in the animal kingdom, again, merely due to their size and strength,” said Ms O’Donoghue.

“While working in an AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited zoo with Apes, keepers DO NOT work in contact with them. Meaning they do NOT go in with these animals. “There is always a welded mesh barrier between the animal and the humans.”

The boy’s mother said on Facebook that he suffered a concussion and scrapes but is otherwise fine. Global outrage over the incident has seen the family receive death threats.

“There should be no way that someone can find themselves inside of an animal’s exhibit,” Ms O’Donoghue said.

“I know one thing for sure, those keepers lost a beautiful, gorgeous silverback and friend. 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 f-rom vanishing f-rom our planet.

“Child killers, they are not.”