Pressure mounting on Cincinnati Zoo officials after shooting of 17-year-old silverback

THE parents of the young boy who fell into a gorilla enclosure, leading to the endangered animal’s death, will be investigated by police.

POLICE have launched an investigation into the parents of the young boy who fell into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Cincinnati Police spokeswoman Tiffaney Hardy said the review would look at the actions of the parents that led up to the incident and was “not related to the operation or safety of the Cincinnati Zoo”.

“After the review, we will determine if charges need to be brought forward,” she said. “If it is determined charges need to be brought forward, we would then discuss it with the Hamilton County prosecutor’s office.”

Michelle Gregg, 32, and Deonne Dickerson, 37, have received terrifying threats after their son climbed over a zoo barricade and fell into a gorilla enclosure, leading to the endangered animal’s death.

Silverback gorilla Harambe was tragically shot and killed inside his Gorilla World enclosure.

Outside the zoo, hundreds of people are protesting over the shooting of Harambe. Online, a petition calling for “Justice for Harambe” has been signed by more than 383,000 people.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters said in a statement: “Once their (Cincinnati Police) investigation is concluded, they will confer with our office on possible criminal charges. When the investigation and review are complete, we will update the media.”

There is no indication as to how long the investigation might take.

Deonne Dickerson and Michelle Gregg will be investigated as part of a review by Cincinnati Police.

Zoo officials at Cincinnati are trying to move on from a horror week but they can’t get clear of their past.

Days after the Harambe incident the focus is turning to another incident at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.

On March 16 this year, the zoo’s dangerous animal team was called to investigate “wandering polar bears”.

The same team responsible for shooting dead the 200kg, 17-year-old gorilla on Saturday found two bears had escaped their enclosure through an open den door and gained access to a behind-the-scenes service hallway.

Officials quickly moved visitors away from the area before using tranquilliser darts to bring the animals down. They then returned them to their main holding area to sleep it off.

Federal reports into the incident, viewed by The Associated Press, showed an inspector warned the zoo the public could have been “at great risk of injury, harm or death”.

The reports also found there was no “formalised method” for checking locks and doors at the zoo.

Harambe was shot minutes after dragging the young boy through a moat surrounding his enclosure.

The zoo’s gorilla exhibit was subject to a routine inspection less than a month later and inspectors found no violations, AP reported, however experts told news.com.au Harambe’s enclosure was unsuitable.

“Looking at the video, a deep, deep canyon like this seems utterly unsuitable,” ANU primatology expert Colin Groves said.

“Sounds coming from above will be magnified. In addition, gorillas — especially silverback males, who need to maintain their sense of dominance — should not be looked down upon.

“Ideally, they should be separated from the public by glass, as in Melbourne Zoo, where they are in a fairly peaceful enclosure, interesting for them and unstressed.”

Cincinnati-based group Stop Animal Exploitation Now has called for large fines against the zoo for having an exhibit that people can access.

Animal rights activists say the zoo should pay a $US10,000 ($A13,915) penalty for negligence.

Zoo director Thane Maynard said the polar bear escape and the gorilla shooting were two very different incidents. He said using tranquillisers on the gorilla likely would have put the boy in greater danger because they would not have taken effect immediately.

“This child was being dragged around and his head was banging on the concrete,” Mr Maynard said.

Male polar bear, Little One, right, and Berit, managed to escape from their enclosure in March. Picture: Tom Uhlman/AP

“This was not a gentle thing. Looking back, we would make the same decision.”

The mother of the boy who fell into Harambe’s enclosure has thanked the public for its support, but has also been widely criticised for not watching the boy closely enough.

“I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers today. What started off as a wonderful day turned into a scary one,” she wrote on Facebook.

“For those of you that have seen the news or been on social media that was my son that fell in the gorilla exhibit at the zoo. God protected my child until the authorities were able to get to him. My son is safe and was able to walk away with a concussion and a few scrapes ... no broken bones or internal injuries.

“As a society we are quick to judge how a parent could take their eyes off of their child and if anyone knows me I keep a tight watch on my kids. Accidents happen but I am thankful that the right people were in the right place today.”

Cincinnati Zoo welcomes 1.6 million visitors each year. Reviews will determine whether improvements can be made to safety.