Stop Hating On The Mom Of The Boy Who Fell In The Gorilla Cage
Let me start this by saying that I love animals. I write this right now with a cat sitting behind me in my chair, another curled up at my feet, turtles in their tank next to me are moving their rocks to build something, and I played fetch with my dog all afternoon. (We got him a tennis ball cannon. It was pretty awesome.)
That being said, I am glad they killed Harambe to save the little boy’s life. That’s right, I am GLAD. I am happy they made the choice to value his life over that of a gorilla, and I am glad that the zookeepers didn’t hesitate to do what was necessary to save him.
And the mom who we hear in the background telling her child that everything will be okay? That she’s right here and for her son not to worry? She made the right decision, too. She didn’t jump into that pit, because she HAS OTHER CHILDREN TO THINK OF. Also, did you see how far down that jump was? There is no way she could have fallen in there without sustaining some sort of injury.
To those of you saying that the gorilla was trying to protect the child– GREAT. That is awesome, but they KNEW when they went in to get that child away from him, it was going to be them versus the gorilla, and if they tried to tranquilize that gorilla? Uh, have you never watched ANYTHING EVER relating to animals getting tranquilized? (Animal experts agree with this, by the way.) It is NOT an instant thing, they are going to rage before they are sedated. What would you have had them do if that had been your child? Risk the rage? I don’t think so, not at all.
Now, let’s talk about this mom. My husband and I have VERY differing opinions on this. He says the mom should be held accountable for the death of a gorilla. I say he is wrong. Why? Because kids slip away, and they slip away fast. The mother has even said “He was just right here. With his hand in my pocket.” I have a daughter who, when she was a toddler, wouldn’t walk more than a foot away from me. She was not a runner, and she was more concerned about being able to see me than I was about being able to see her, but I have been in charge of so many kids as a preschool teacher, a kindergarten teacher, a camp counselor, a scout leader, and I can tell you that not all kids are like this. So, if you are saying that this mom is negligent in some way for turning her back on her kid for a split second, you don’t have any idea what you are talking about.
Edited to Add: So, my husband has been thinking about this some more, and he says he is coming around to my way of thinking. Why? Because he thinks zoos should PLAN for small children to sometimes get away from their parents, and the Cincinnati Zoo was not prepared for this scenario.
Kids are slippery, they disappear in an instant. I still remember the day my mom lost me in the local Kmart because I was playing hide and seek in the clothes racks. At Disneyworld they have a massive plan in place for losing kids. This is a thing that happens to the best of kids, and that is why these plans are in place.
So, no this mom doesn’t deserve to face charges and she isn’t our enemy. SHE IS ONE OF US. She is just a mom trying to take her kids to the zoo, to the park, to the store. We need to celebrate her for trying her best, not bring her down because she made a mistake. BECAUSE WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES. And some of them are much bigger than others. She wasn’t under the influence or anything, she just turned her back for a split second. And that’s okay.
So, let’s celebrate the entire situation. I am not saying we shouldn’t mourn the loss of the gorilla, because it is sad that he’s gone. But we should celebrate the mom who got her child back safely, the zoo personnel that handled the incident without hesitation, and let’s also celebrate the little boy who lives. Because that is an awesome thing.
Thank you for making this world amazing❤️
But this wasn’t a split second. This toddler had to climb over three barriers to get into the enclosure. It took several minutes. No way this mom gets off the hook. She deserves what she gets. watch your damn kids. I watch mine.
I keep hating that mom. Because she failed as a parent and that’s the reason they killed him. Her fold. Stupid woman. Hope she gets a very big punishment.
I do not agree with you for the simple fact that if the parent is not held accountable for her children, then we will end up with kids growing up thinking they don’t have to be accountable for their actions. Oh, too late!!! I am a prek teacher and a mother of 2 boys. I take full responsibility for their actions because when they are with me, I AM THE ADULT. And hopefully it will open the eyes of other parents to watch their children a little closer.
What I am hearing that not only do you absolve the mother of any blame for not supervising her child, but you blame the zoo instead. That’s a major problem in this country — blame someone else. This nonchalant “things happen” attitude that so often results in pain, suffering, and expense to others. If we give the mother a pass on this, then I don’t want to hear the word “sue” or “blame” coming out of her lips. Take some responsibility for yourself and your family.
Of course that’s what the mother said but she lied. Several witnesses stated for more than two minutes he climbed the railing telling his mom he wanted to go in the water and she ignored him. The mother is completely in the wrong. More than two minutes.
I am a teacher and a mom of 5! Grandma of 5, and I wholeheartedly agree with you! Those who do not, obviously have no clue that all kids are different in behavior, all parenting styles don’t fit all kids, and things happen! Some more dangerous than others. i just hope for those who are making harsh judgement are never thrown with something similar in their hands! I used to make judgements and then learned the hard way, just like some of these people may! Being this harsh and close minded is only going to bring down the same on yourself some day (to those ridiculing the mom).
Just because “things happen”, does not mean she should not be held accountable.
I agree that this could have happened to anyone and that kids can slip away in a split second, even if you are holding their hand. But on the same token, parents are responsible for their children’s actions until the kids become adults. That is why parents have to pay fines and etc when children steal or break laws. I feel sorry for this woman and I am glad her child is alive, but yes, she should be responsible for coats that the zoo has incurred.
Thank you for saying it so clearly and honestly!
WOW!!!! I could not disagree with you more!!!!!! This Mom obviously has too many kids to keep track of or was her Iphone more important?!?! Then you here her saying, “Mommy’s right here!!” REALLY?!?!? Where were you when he was climbing and falling into the exhibit?!?!? There better not be a lawsuit filed by this Mother against the zoo!!!!
Well Jamie. You just lost me as a subscriber and follower on facebook. You probably should have gotten the full facts of what happened before you weighed in on this issue. It took several minutes for the child to get through the shrubs that surround the enclosure before he climbed the over the fence and down a 15 foot embankment. It is not just that an extremely endangered animal had to be killed because of gross negligence (she had too many kids to watch AND she spent too much time playing with her phone), the worst part is this child has to be raised by this horrible woman!!!
I wonder what kind of mom YOU ARE!!! Remember when you are at the zoo they are NOT your babysitter!!!
Wow! Were you there? No, I didn’t think so!
Accidents happen everyday with children. No parent is perfect. Each child is different and they are not always predictable.
What about the mom’s and dads that have their child abducted or worse because that child got away and a psycho takes advantage of it?? If that were a “human” man and the choice was to shoot/kill him to protect that child, no one would blink an eye. I am so sad that an animal was killed. I am so sad that this family has to live with this for the rest of their lives.
Seems everyone thinks they have the right to judge another parent. Well, you don’t. Turn your attention on yourself & your own family. I’m sure there’s some room for reflection & judgement there.
WOW! were YOU there, and got all the facts straight? I read another article saying how the mom was watching and then he was over the fence, and when they were trying to stop him as he ran, he wound up falling. So contradicting stories by what was supposedly eye witnesses. SO you are just going to take one story and run with it as facts? OBVIOUSLY since there are no charges being brought against the parents, the story you say isn’t completely factual.
You will be missed, but I stand by my statements. You should know, though, that I did a lot of research, read a lot of eyewitness testimony, and ultimately, it was this that made me react the way I did: http://i.imgur.com/X7fQTwC.gifv
So you would side with the teens in the case where the white Bengal tiger got out after the stupid teens shot it with a slingshot? No enclosure can be high enough to keep people out or animals in if either chooses to pursue entrance or exit. You don’t bring multiple children to a zoo unless you are prepared to watch ALL OF THEM. You say you are an educator and that children get away? You educate children to know the dangers of their actions, yes a 4 year old knows the difference! You don’t simply tell them no, you tell them a reason for that no ie. It’s dangerous, there are wild animals in the enclosures. I disagree that it is not the mothers fault. I know where my children are at all time when I take them to zoos, aquariums, etc.
i gotta say i agree that they needed to save the child, but the mother needs to be held accountable as well. most of us know our children and can anticipate some things. when we went to the zoo, i used a children’s leash for my adventurous daughter. she had no stranger anxiety and would have gone off with anyone at any time. people tried to make me feel badly, but i knew at least one thing i could do to keep my child safe. he was telling her what he was going to do—as soon as he argued we would have been out of there for a chat—my opinion as a mother of two very inquisitive and challenging children
Uh no. If she had multiple children then she knows children can get away. Your at a zoo full of wild animals with loads of other people and kids. They make harnesses for children for a reason!! This is that reason! It isnt the zoos responsibility to watch your child!
I am so happy to see a post like this. I cannot even imagine what that poor mother went through when he child ended up with the gorilla. How fast everyone is to judge this poor woman yet where is the sympathy? I’m sure even the most perfect mothers have had moments when their children did something they weren’t supposed to, it happens. And thankfully, although unfortunately, they killed the gorilla who could have killed this small helpless child in a second. It’s a sad day when the life of an animal is more important than the life of a human.
The Silverback gorilla is an endangered species, it’s not unfortunate it’s an atrocity!
Obviously you wouldn’t be one of those perfect moms if you think this way!
yes I’m very happy because they didn’t hesitate to save the life of this innocent child. But I’m shocked because for some people the life of a gorilla is more important than the life of this little boy .
Thank you so much! And yes, this is what is really important, we are all mothers who make mistakes. Thank goodness this one didn’t cost her child’s life.
IF you notice Jamie most people thinks your stupid.If the little BRAT didn’t go down there it would not have happened. .He told her many times he was going in there bur she was on phone and didn’t listen.IF you had watched video you would have seen gorilla did not hurt him, to bad it wasn’t his mother. Waste of human flesh and yours too.
RIP mankind. I cant believe how arrogant human can be to think that their lives are important than all the other living beings on earth. Seattle’s once said,”Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. … We are but one thread within it.” But sadly, most of the human dont understand this simple fact.Shame Shame
SHAME ON YOUR BULLCRAP. SHE DIDNT WATCH HER LITTLE BRAT. Maybe if she wasn’t on phone she would’ve been noticed her kid was gone.You can preach all you want but the facts are she is horrible mom.
I agree with you Jamie. I’m amazed at how quickly social media turned against this mother! All of a sudden America is filled with perfect moms! This could have happened to any one of us and Praise God the child wasn’t hurt!
If you don’t look after your child like this mom did, you better have none! This would never happen to me, you are insane
I have to disagree with you the media didnt turn it on the mother the facts did she was on her phone, the boy kept messaging he want to go in the water and a closer look it never shows the enclosure completely however you can see a huge wall and many shrubs witnesses say it had to take more then 5mins. For him to get through he went through 3 barriers yes a child can slip away or anything in secs however this did not take secs for him to get through and to climb/fall in so where was his parents their job is to protect and explain in detail why he is to stay down and out isnt that a priority of a parent to guide and protect their child if my child
was saying he wanted to get closer and go in
then continued to climb I would remove him from the area ad I have done even with throwing a huge fight its better then taking a chance. No one ever said the Gorillas life was more important then the boys life just rather its sad he had to die because the fact is the parents supervision was not taking place for long enough to allow the boy through all the barriers bottom line watch listen and remove the child in situations like this before something happens if she was doing so she could of stopped him and the Gorilla wouldn’t have to of died
I’m sorry but this is crap. I’m a mom of a 4 yr old. Of course the mom was terrified when she finally noticed her child got away from her. Of course she shouldn’t have jumped right in the enclosure. Of course she should’ve waited for the professionals to determine the best course of action. Of course the zoo should’ve done everything to save that baby, even if it meant taking the animal’s life. Of course she will relive this over and over. BUT she is responsible for the care and well being of her child and because she wasn’t paying attention, which with a 4 yr old you need to have eyes in the back of your head, an animal is dead for simply being an animal. I have never “hated” this woman. The whole situation is very sad and I’m very glad her boy is safe but that does not absolve her from being responsible for the situation.
I agree to disagree with you I am a mother of 3 boys and I am always watching them when we go to the zoo why was this mother not taking care of her child zoos are not our babysitters we are responsible for our own children’s safety and yes the parents should be held accountable for the gorilla’s death further more why didn’t they shoot him with a tranquilizer instead of killing him. They should have left here with us at his home in Brownsville
Ok, but the mom Was negligent. All moms were negligents sometimes, but not every mom put on risk our sons lifes. And because of that ended the life of one animal that face extintion for human actions every day, an animan that did not ask to be in a cage for human entertaiment. Sorry for my english, it’s not good but i want to said something about it
I wish I could say that I feel sympathetic towards this mother, but I don’t. For various reasons. Thus being said, I certainly don’t hate her, nor do I think she should be punished by the law. Particularly since she’ll be re-living this horror for the rest of her life.
I wish we lived within a world where we don’t, as parents, need to villigently supervise our children 100% of the time. But we do. Particulary within open, public places.
I certainly feel sorrow for the gorilla’s pack, who is mourning the loss of their leader, and cannot even begin to imagine how tramatized the poor boy is. The entire situation could have been prevented had both the zoo, as well of the mother, established better safe guards.
All in all, I pray that both sides within this tragedy, move forward with greater insight in the way of public safety, for future referance.
Perfectly said!
Amen !!! I wrote the same opinion next to the USA article, and got blasted. People with no humanity said the most terrible things, and I felt really reside in glass houses. I became disgusted with people. People who don’t have children but have an opinion and possibly people who “forget” what it was like to have a kid. Thank you for your empathy of a mom, your kindness, and …love.
I am so surprised by what people are writing in articles and around the Internet when we have this opinion. This mother almost lost her child. My heart goes out to her. How totally scary!
Of all I have read on this horrible event so far, this has been the the most reasonable article yet. All of us who were not there can be thankful that it had nothing to do with us. It is on the hearts and minds of everyone, and it is tragic. Yet really really awesome that the boy is ok!
Thank you! I agree– it’s a HORRIBLE tragedy, but this was a KID we are talking about!
The death of the gorilla is horrible but when I heard of the incident and watched the video, the first thing that came to my mind was that the child fell in because of the lack of precautions from the zoo. The poor design of precautions of how it was built and how adults and children are able to see and jump in at an ease. In this case, a child fell in and because of the fast reaction of the zoo keepers, the child is still alive. I too am a mother, I too have gone places and hold my children right next to me and watch them like a hawk but I’ve lost my kids at the stores, zoo, museums. It’s that very split second that things happen. It can happen to anybody and if there is one woman out there that will be quick at responding that it never happened to them, than yippe yayyy for them. I just hope this mom doens’t feel that she needs to keep her kids at home and never takes her kids anywhere again because of this incident. Again, moms and dads, this happens to the many of us and hopefully this mom and child recovers from this big scare!
No one can “jump in at ease” I grew up going to the Cincinnati Zoo and I take my kids there on a regular basis. This exhibit had been in place for 38 YEARS and no one has ever gotten in the exhibit. You have to climb through a fence, through dense, thick thorn bushes and over about 3 feet of wall. I don’t believe the zoo is at fault at all.
First he didn’t fall in. You can’t fall in this enclosure. Metal railing, wire fence, 4 ft of bushes before the 15ft drop.
Everything I have been thinking. Agree completely. I have 3 boys. One of them is scary fast and fearless. I can see myself in this woman’s shoes. I live every moment in fear of his next move. I have gotten all the dirty looks for leashing my son on the rare occasions that have chosen to. if everyone was so perfect why didn’t someone there stop him. This kid evaded every adult there. Not just his Mom. The responsibilty here lies in large part with the zoo for allowing an exhibit that can mastered by a 4 year old in seconds!
I think this is a really great point. If they are going to keep these animals, they should know that kids are little and squirmy and fast. And they should be prepared for that!
But this doesn’t apply to parents?
Not seconds…. Minutes… The boy even told his mom he wanted to go in the water and she ignored him.
love this comment . She was busy on instagram and she didn’t watch her little BRAT.
You are so right. . She was busy on instagram and she didn’t watch her little BRAT.
couldn’t have said it better myself! I agree 100%!!
So glad! I was a little scared writing this article, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it!
Yes the mother was negligent but we mustn’t punish her by letting her boy in the hand of a gorilla. I love animals but I’m sorry the life of a human being is more important . If it was my child I will beg the entire universe to save my child and kill the last gorilla on earth . please put yourselves in her shoes. Sorry for my English
Then don’t let your BRATS RUN AROUND IN A ZOO OR ANYWHERE . We are sick of parents who don’t watch there little darlings!
You should have saved your energy typing up this ridiculous article. This doesn’t even come close to comparison to a mother who just takes her eyes off a child for a split second. You do know that the child REPEATEDLY said he was going to get down there in that water right? And this mother was taking photos not watching her other children. She thought having his hand in her back pocket was good enough after once again let me remind you – HE REPEATEDLY said he was going to go down there.
This isn’t just a mother looked away for a second incident and you are trying to accomplish a well written post in defense of the mom like the letter that has gone viral. However yours is a huge fail because you’re defending mothers who take their eyes off their children after they repeatedly argue they are going to do something they shouldn’t.
I think you should give up writing stories. This was awful and its 5 minutes of my life I’ll never have back. I agree the zoo did what they had to do and Ofcourse that boy’s life is more important than the gorilla since they had to make a choice. But Mom was 100% to blame and should be charged for negligence and it is her fault that gorilla had to die in his own home! Shame on mom 100000%
Good parents make sure their kids behave. Good parents teach their kids that no means no. Good parents don’t take their eyes off their children in a place where there are thousands of other children around where it’s easy to lose them.
Good night eh? Fail!
So right. Jamies kids probably run all over. You stand up for mother maybe your the same, stupid type of mother.You are a boring writer! Most people probably think same thing.
I know the feeling… I read your horribly written comment and now that’s minutes of my life I won’t get back either.