Cincinnati Zoo has reopened its gorilla exhibit less than two weeks after the tragic incident that divided social media.
On May 28, Harambe, a 17-year-old silverback gorilla, was shot dead after a four-year old boy fell into his enclosure.
Many claimed the gorilla meant no harm and didn’t deserve to die, while others supported the zoo’s decision to shoot the ape in order to protect the child.
However, one issue everyone was in agreement on was that the child should have never been able to get into the pit in the first place.
In a press conference, Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard stated that even though the exhibit’s original barrier had passed regular safety inspections for 38 years, the zoo decided to install a new fence. The new barrier is 42 inches higher than the old one and has wooded beams on the top and bottom, with rope netting in between.
‘Nonetheless, we felt a new, bigger barrier helps reassure our visitors and guests and redoubles our efforts to make sure that our animals are safe and that our visitors are as well,’ Maynard explained.
The fence isn’t the only new addition to the gorilla exhibit, with visitors also able to pay their respects to Harambe, with a glass case containing cards and letters sent in by supporters along with a sign that says ‘Honoring Harambe’.
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