The Cincinnati zoo reopened its gorilla exhibit Tuesday with a higher, reinforced barrier installed after a young boy got into the exhibit and was dragged by a 400lb gorilla, which was then shot and killed. A special response team shot the agitated, 17-year-old gorilla to protect the boy, who was treated for scrapes. Director Thane Maynard said the exhibit had been safe for 38 years, but the new barrier helped to reassure guests and protect everyone on both sides of it henceforward. The family has said the boy is doing well and they’re taking steps to put the “tragic episode” behind them. It “redoubles our effort to make sure that our animals are safe and that our visitors are as well”, Maynard said.

Source: The Guardian June 07, 2016 16:11 UTC