The world was stunned this week after an endangered ape, Harambe, was shot and killed after a young boy fell into his enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Now, harrowing audio of the boy’s mother, Michelle Gregg, 32, calling the emergency services has been released by police, detailing the dramatic events.
In her worried phone call to the Cincinatti 9-1-1, the terrified mother can be heard panicking as she explains the bizarre and dangerous situation her four-year-old son finds himself in, the BBC reports.
She said:
Hi, my son fell in the zoo exhibit at the gorillas. The Cincinnati Zoo, my son fell in with the gorilla. There’s a male gorilla standing over him. I need someone to contact the zoo please.
The dispatcher then tries to calm the woman telling her that emergency services had already started their operation to rescue the son, and tries to reassure the concerned mum.
Unfortunately, as the mother begins to calm down, Harambe panics and drags her son off.
Michelle screams:
He’s dragging my son. I can’t watch this. I can’t. I can’t watch.
Thankfully, the boy suffered only minor injuries in the incident but the gorilla was put down, and the parents have come under fire for their irresponsible behaviour.
The police are now conducting an investigation into the parents regarding their actions related to the incident and not related to the operation or safety of the Cincinnati Zoo.
More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.
Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.
He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.