Dramatic 911 Calls Released From Toddler's Fall Into Gorilla Enclosure
"I can't watch this," the mother screeches.
— -- Dramatic 911 calls from the mother whose small child had fallen into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo have been released. The incident on Saturday resulted a 17-year-old endangered silverback gorilla's being shot to death, sparking controversy.
On the recording, released by police, the mother can be heard saying, “My son fell in the zoo exhibit at the gorilla — at the Cincinnati zoo. My son fell in with gorilla. There is a male gorilla standing over him.”
The mother can be heard calling to her son in the gorilla enclosure, “Be calm, be calm!”
“He’s dragging my son. I can’t watch this,” the mother says during the call.
Meanwhile, a bystander can be heard shouting, “There’s a baby in the zoo at gorilla moat. Hurry, hurry, the gorillas are out. Oh, my God.”
The toddler was eventually rescued and suffered minor injuries. The gorilla was shot dead by zoo officials.
“Our child has had a checkup by his doctor and is still doing well. We continue to praise God for his grace and mercy and to be thankful to the Cincinnati Zoo for their actions taken to protect our child," the family said in a statement. "We are also very appreciative for the expressions of concern and support that have been sent to us. Some have offered money to the family, which we do not want and will not accept.”
A representative for the family members said they are cooperating with the police investigation.