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Taronga Zoo unveils HUGE new addition

<p dir="ltr">The Sydney zoo has welcomed a new animal to its menagerie, but it isn’t like the other residents of the zoo - it’s a giant statue of a gorilla.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ca19db92-7fff-8e07-1a3e-b37d790ed72d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>King Nyani</em>, the world’s largest gorilla sculpture, landed at Taronga Zoo after travelling all the way from New York and was brought to the zoo on the flatbed of a large truck.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcM-E-_rm8L/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcM-E-_rm8L/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Taronga Zoo (@tarongazoo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The bronze statue, created by public artists Gillie and Marc Shattner, was inspired by King Kong and depicts a stretched out gorilla with hands that up to three people can sit in.</p> <p dir="ltr">The huge gorilla, which weighs 2.2 tonnes and is 30-metres long, was created to spread awareness of conservation efforts for gorillas and is the third in a series of giant gorillas.</p> <p dir="ltr">The first appeared in New York City in 2020 and now sits in Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo, while the second is due to be installed at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We decided to create three editions after seeing the unbelievable response to the original Nyani in NYC. We knew that this was a cause that many people were willing to get behind," Gillie explained.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ec851743-7fff-b6fd-5d95-8fea0a61d49b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">"This was a chance to inspire three times as many people to protect gorillas to save them from extinction.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CcPgribhXfr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CcPgribhXfr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Taronga Zoo (@tarongazoo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“We wanted to create a sculpture where the public could really get close to the silverback, both physically and emotionally,” Gillie said. “Being able to sit in his hand and look up into his gentle face, we hope they will fall in love and join the movement to save the gorillas.”</p> <p dir="ltr">King Nyani now sits next to the Centenary Viewing Platform, metres away from the zoo’s breathtaking harbour views.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-358a035f-7fff-cc08-abed-5dc98e568701"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Taronga Zoo</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Wild brawl at zoo leaves even the animals shocked

<p><span>A bizarre clip of families battling it out during a tour at a Chinese Zoo has gone viral, leaving viewers speechless.</span><br /><br /><span>The trivial argument between two tourists on Sunday led to a violent brawl that included at least six people.</span><br /><br /><span>Beijing Wildlife Park has said in a statement that the brawl included a woman and a young child.</span><br /><br /><span>The incident, which occurred in the gorilla area of the zoo, has received a number of responses after being posted to social media site Weibo.</span><br /><br /><span>A woman holding a toddler can be seen kicking another woman while she tries to fight off a third woman on the ground.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">This biffo at the Beijing wild animal zoo between a couple of families prompted a statement from the zoo. It said the fighting left a deep impression on some nearby animals who copied the humans and had to be taught by staff that fighting isn’t good behaviour. 笑死我了😂 <a href="https://t.co/3X9KcsmSCR">pic.twitter.com/3X9KcsmSCR</a></p> — Bill Birtles (@billbirtles) <a href="https://twitter.com/billbirtles/status/1424312295589519362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>Two men are seen wrestling in the background.</span><br /><br /><span>Bystanders watched the brawl in horror.</span><br /><br /><span>"They shouted at each other, tore at each other and many tourists and animals were watching. The two sides reached a settlement after mediation," a park authority said on WeChat, the Global Times reported.</span><br /><br /><span>The park said that some animals had never witnessed a fight between humans and “followed suit” later that night.</span><br /><br /><span>"Under the patient education of the keeper, [we believe] animals knew that fighting was not good," the park said, the publication reported.</span><br /><br /><span>Viewers said on Twitter that the footage of the fight is “pretty awful to watch”.</span><br /><br /><span>“It's a toss-up between what was more unexpected, the woman kicking the other woman and pulling her hair while holding a baby, or the man who jump-kicked the woman holding the baby,” one woman said.</span><br /><br /><span>“Not sure who learns from whom,” another person wrote.</span></p>

Family & Pets

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Gorilla entranced by photos on a boy’s iPhone

<p>Even the animals are as enamoured by technology as we are, it seems.</p> <p>Louisville Zoo visitors witnessed an incredible moment, as a boy sat against the glass and shared photos from his iPhone with the gorilla on the other side.</p> <p>In the footage captured, the gorilla gives him his full attention, seemingly entranced by what he sees on screen. By the end of the video, the two would be leaning up close to one another if not for the glass in between.</p> <p>The video footage was uploaded to YouTube by user Paul Ross, and has since garnered over one million views.</p> <p>On the video, Paul commented:</p> <p>“Touched my heart seeing that kid being so kind and gentle with [the gorilla]. I think it was a special moment.”</p> <p>“I had the luxury of interacting with the kid and his family, and watching the whole scene play out for about 20-30 minutes.”</p> <p>Best gorilla friends forever?</p> <p> </p>

News

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David Attenborough’s bold suggestion for zoos

<p>Famed naturalist David Attenborough has described London Zoo gorilla escape as ‘hardly surprising’ and suggested bold measures to stop it from happening again.</p> <p>18-year-old silverback gorilla Kumbuka <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2016/10/gorilla-escapes-london-zoo/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>made headlines last week</strong></span></a> when it escaped from its enclosure and found its way into a “non-public keeper area” and Attenborough believes the circumstances are partly to blame for this potentially disastrous incident. The documenter also believes it might be time to rethink the way zoos are set up.</p> <p>Attenborough told <a href="http://www.itv.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>ITV Television</strong></span></a>, “They are wonderful animals, gorillas. They are animals which guard their privacy. In the forests of West Africa, they don’t live out in the open. They aren’t stared at by people. Maybe the solution is that people should not be allowed to be behind big sheets of glass but look behind peepholes so that the gorillas don’t realise (they are being watched) – but that’s very difficult to do in a zoo where there are tens of thousands of people wanting to see these animals.”</p> <p>Attenborough also said zoo-goers also must show more respect.</p> <p>“Sometimes visitors to zoos are not respectful and they start shrieking or waving their arms in order to get the poor gorilla to do something. They are not just animals. They are related to us. They value their privacy. Just imagine what it’s like to be there.”</p> <p>What’s your take? Do you think David Attenborough is on to something? Or are zoos fine just the way they are? </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/2016/09/aussie-tourist-gets-knocked-over-by-silverback-gorilla/"><em>Aussie tourist gets knocked over by silverback gorilla</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2016/06/cincinnati-zoo-reopens-gorilla-exhibit/"><em>Cincinnati Zoo re-opens gorilla exhibit with higher fence</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2016/02/baby-gorilla-born/"><em>Adorable baby gorilla born by emergency C-section</em></a></strong></span></p> <p> </p>

News

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Panic after gorilla escapes from London Zoo

<p>Just months after the tragic incident at Cincinnati Zoo which led to the death of silverback gorilla <a href="/news/news/2016/05/gorilla-harambe-cincinnati-zoo-boy-falls-into-enclosure/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Harambe</span></strong></a>, another mishap has occurred thousands of kilometres away at London Zoo. At 5.13pm local time, it was reported that 18-year-old silverback gorilla Kumbuka had escaped its enclosure and found its way into a “non-public keeper area”.</p> <p><img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28792/gorilla_497x280.jpg" alt="Gorilla" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>The zoo went into lockdown, with visitors sent into the safety of zoo buildings and nearby members of the public warned to stay inside. “We were in the zoo for the day, having a cup of coffee in the main restaurant area when they locked us all in and said there was an incident,” a witness told the BBC. “They gave us free teas and coffees and obviously we were asking what was going on and they told us that a gorilla had got out of its enclosure and that we weren’t allowed out of the park at half-five so we had to wait. As we were waiting we saw the police turning up in numbers with loads of guns.”</p> <p>Staff members were described as “panicking” after an alarm went off, indicating there had been an escape. “We went into the aquarium and they locked the doors,” another visitor told The Standard. We were in there for about half an hour to 45 minutes. We didn’t know what was happening. A zookeeper kept us calm and said it was an animal escape siren.”</p> <p>The gorilla was recaptured an hour and a half later at 6.48pm after being tranquillised by vets. London Zoo has confirmed he is safe and well and are currently conducting an investigation into the incident.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/international-travel/2016/09/aussie-tourist-gets-knocked-over-by-silverback-gorilla/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Aussie tourist gets knocked over by silverback gorilla</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/06/cincinnati-zoo-reopens-gorilla-exhibit/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Cincinnati Zoo re-opens gorilla exhibit with higher fence</em></span></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/02/baby-gorilla-born/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Adorable baby gorilla born by emergency C-section</strong></em></span></a></p>

News

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Aussie tourist gets knocked over by silverback gorilla

<p>An Australian tourist has described her terror as a silverback gorilla charged at her and knocked her to the ground while she was honeymooning in Rwanda.</p> <p>Gemma Cosgriff was on a wildlife tour when the 300kg ape appeared to take a fancy to her, rushing towards her and pushing her over.</p> <p>Her husband, Damian, was filming the terrifying encounter, and has posted the video to YouTube.</p> <p>"I was fearing for my life in that split second," Cosgriff told 9News.</p> <p>However, the gorilla quickly lost interest as she cowered on the ground, shaken but unharmed.</p> <p>"Even though it's really big, it's quite cushiony like a pillow, so that didn't hurt at all," she said.</p> <p>Cosgriff told 9News she thought her pink t-shirt had attracted the gorilla, and fellow tourists had joked about it seeming to like her.</p> <p>Not put off by the incident, Cosgriff described it as a "once in a lifetime" experience.</p> <p>"I still just cannot believe that it even happened," she told 9News.</p> <p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/06/cincinnati-zoo-reopens-gorilla-exhibit/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Cincinnati Zoo re-opens gorilla exhibit with higher fence</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/02/baby-gorilla-born/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Adorable baby gorilla born by emergency C-section</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/05/gorilla-harambe-cincinnati-zoo-boy-falls-into-enclosure/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Mother of boy who fell into gorilla enclosure speaks</strong></em></span></a></p>

International Travel

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Cincinnati Zoo re-opens gorilla exhibit with higher fence

<p>The Cincinati Zoo reopened its gorilla exhibit on Tuesday with increased security measures, following last month’s incident that resulted in the death of western low land gorilla Harambe.</p> <p>The enclosure is now surrounded by a reinforced barrier that is half a foot taller than before at 42 inches high. It has passed repeated inspections by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.</p> <p>It will also have solid wood beams at the top and bottom, plus knotted rope netting at the bottom, the zoo said. Surveillance cameras also were added.</p> <p>The news of the reopening comes a day after Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said he would not bring charges against the boy's mother, who was tending to another child when her three-year-old “just scampered off”.</p> <p>Director Thane Maynard said the exhibit had been safe for 38 years, but the new barrier helps to reassure guests and protect everyone on both sides of it henceforward.</p> <p>The boy involved in last month’s incident allegedly climbed over the previous barrier and made his way through some bushes and fell about 15 feet into a shallow moat. <br /> <br /> A special response team shot the agitated, 17-year-old gorilla to protect the boy, who was treated for scrapes.</p> <p>Deters said he has been a bit surprised by the reaction to the gorilla's death, citing “It does not equate human life, and they felt that this boy's life was in jeopardy, and they made the painful choice to do what they did.”</p> <p>The zoo's actions will be reviewed separately by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. </p> <p>The remaining residents of the enclosure include two a20-year-old females that were grouped with Harambe. The others are a family group of eight, led by a silverback named Jomo. </p> <p>Do you think this is a great enough increase in security in light of last month’s incident? Let us know what you think in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/travel/travel-insurance/2016/03/how-to-make-a-diy-travel-wallet/"></a></strong></span></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/%20http:/www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/06/no-charges-against-mother-of-son-who-entered-gorilla-enclosure/%20">Mother of son who fell in gorilla enclosure will not face charges</a></em></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/06/parents-of-boy-who-fell-in-gorilla-pen-reveal-his-condition/%20">Parents of boy who fell in gorilla pen reveal his condition</a></em></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/05/gorilla-harambe-cincinnati-zoo-boy-falls-into-enclosure/%20">Mother of boy who fell into gorilla enclosure speaks</a></em></span></strong></p>

News

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Mother of son who fell in gorilla enclosure will not face charges

<p>It was the footage that gripped the world, but hopefully this news puts an end to the tragic story. After Harambe the endangered western lowland silverback gorilla was shot and killed when 3-year-old boy fell into his enclosure at Cincinnati Zoo, we were all torn over whether or not the right steps had been taken. Outraged critics slammed the boy’s mother for a lack of supervision, and many even called for criminal charges to be filed against her.</p> <p>However, the mother has been cleared of possible reckless endangerment charges by Hamilton County prosecutor Joseph Deters. “I am very sorry about the loss of this gorilla but nothing about this situation rises to the level of a criminal charge,” he said. “Had she been in the bathroom smoking crack and let her kids run around the zoo that'd be a different story. She was attending to her children by all witness accounts and the three-year-old just scampered off.”</p> <p>Witnesses claim the boy’s mother had her back turned for only a few seconds when he ran off and made his way into the enclosure. According to <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-07/no-charges-against-mother-whose-son-entered-gorilla-enclosure/7483696" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">ABC News</span></strong></a>, the zoo has since altered the enclosure to ensure that no further incidents can take place.</p> <p>The boy’s family have released a statement thanking the prosecutor for his decision. “This is one more step in allowing us to put this tragic episode behind us and return to our normal family life.”</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/06/parents-of-boy-who-fell-in-gorilla-pen-reveal-his-condition/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Parents of boy who fell in gorilla pen reveal his condition</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/05/gorilla-harambe-cincinnati-zoo-boy-falls-into-enclosure/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mother of boy who fell into gorilla enclosure speaks</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/02/baby-gorilla-born/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Adorable baby gorilla born by emergency C-section</strong></span></em></a></p>

News

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Parents of boy who fell in gorilla pen reveal his condition

<p>Earlier this week we reported on the tragic Cincinnati Zoo incident, which saw a 17-year-old gorilla shot dead after a young boy fell into it’s enclosure.</p> <p>But what’s been somewhat lost in the media reports is the condition of the four-year-old boy, Isiah Gregg, who lived through quite a traumatic experience.</p> <p>Isiah’s mother and father, Michelle Gregg and Deonne Dickerson, have released a statement to the media revealing Isiah’s current condition.</p> <p>In the statement Ms Gregg said Isiah is doing well and that, “If anyone wishes to make a gift, we recommend a donation to the Cincinnati Zoo in Harambe’s name. Our child has had a check-up 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.”</p> <p><img width="499" height="710" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/21437/isiah-gregg_499x710.jpg" alt="Isiah Gregg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Harambe the gorilla was shot dead by zoo workers on Saturday in a move that angered some environmentalists who argued that the gorilla was simply trying to protect the child. Others have argued that it would be irresponsible to take risks with a 200kg gorilla. </p> <p>How did you react when you first heard the news? Did you blame Isiah’s parents? Or are the zoo keepers at fault? Share your thoughts in the comments below. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2014/09/the-benefits-of-having-a-pet/"><em>Why having a pet is SO good for you</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/photos-of-animals-hitchhiking/"><em>Hilarious photos of animals hitchhiking</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/how-to-help-your-pet-conquer-their-phobias/">How to help your pet conquer their phobias</a></em></strong></span></p>

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Mother of boy who fell into gorilla enclosure speaks

<p>Fingers continue to be pointed in the wake of the frightening Cincinnati Zoo incident, which saw a four-year-old boy trapped in an enclosure with a 200kg gorilla.</p> <p>Animal lover and activists formed a Memorial Day vigil at Cincinnati Zoo for the 17-year-old gorilla Harambe, who had been shot as a precaution after the boy climbed over the railing, fell into the enclosure and was grabbed by the animal.</p> <p>Cincinnati Zoo director Than Maynard defended the decision to shoot the rare animal, adding the gorilla was “confused”, “disoriented” and strong enough to crush a coconut in its hand.</p> <p>“The child’s life was in danger; you can’t take a risk with a silverback gorilla,” Maynard said at a press conference. “Everybody at the zoo feels the loss. We are very glad the little boy is okay.”</p> <p>Animal lovers have questioned the zoo’s decision to kill Harambe with some arguing he was merely protecting the boy. More than 160,000 people have signed an online petition at Change.org calling for the boy’s parents to be “held accountable for their actions of not supervising their child.”</p> <p>The boy’s mother, Michelle Gregg, broke her silence on Sunday in a Facebook post saying, “I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers today. What started off as a wonderful day turned into a scary one. For those of you that have seen the news or been on social media that was my son that fell in the gorilla exhibit at the zoo.”</p> <p>“God protected my child until the authorities were able to get to him. My son is safe and was able to walk away with a concussion and a few scrapes ... no broken bones or internal injuries. As a society we are quick to judge how a parent could take their eyes off of their child and if anyone knows me I keep a tight watch on my kids. Accidents happen but I am thankful that the right people were in the right place today.”</p> <p>So who do you think was in the wrong here? Was the Cincinnati Zoo right to shoot such a rare animal? Should the boy’s parents be held accountable?</p> <p>Please let us know in the comments below. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/04/cat-meets-dogs-at-dog-show/" target="_blank">Watch this friendly cat meet 50 dogs at a dog show</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/04/prince-george-president-barack-obama-photos/" target="_blank">The story behind Prince George’s presidential photos</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/04/lifeguard-helps-wheelchair-bound-veteran-surf/" target="_blank">Lifeguard helps make wheelchair-bound army vet's dream come true</a></strong></em></span></p>

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Koko the Gorilla has a a heartbreaking message about climate change

<p>You may be asking ‘who is Koko the gorilla and why are her views important?’. </p> <p>Before Koko, it was believed that primates couldn’t communicate in ways that humans could comprehend.  The western lowland gorilla  may not actually be able to speak words as such, but she can flawlessly communicate using a modified form of American sign language. Her trainer, Francine "Penny" Patterson, reports that Koko is able to understand more than 1,000 signs of what Patterson calls "Gorilla Sign Language" and her language use is akin to that of a human child.   </p> <p>It also turns out Koko doesn’t just know how to talk to humans, she has a lot of relevant input. <em>Noe Conservation</em> posted a video of Koko's emotional reaction to hearing about climate change, and it has stirred up a lot of controversy. The gorilla signs about her love for the Earth and for mankind, but scolds the human race for being "stupid" by contributing to the decay of the atmosphere. </p> <p>Many people across the world are now asking expressing the same sentiment. When a gorilla tells you that you are being stupid, is it perhaps time to listen?</p> <p>As hard as it may be to believe that a gorilla could understand a concept as abstract as complex as ‘Earth’, the debate isn’t about the extent of Koko’s cognitive abilities. The bigger picture is that there are other animals on this planet, and one of them is trying to tell us something.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/01/2015-was-warmest-year-on-record/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Reports confirm 2015 was warmest year on record</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><span><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/01/sheep-missing-six-years-finally-gets-sheared/">Lost sheep has 20 kilos of wool shorn at first haircut in 6 years</a></strong></span></em></strong></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/01/koala-cries-after-brawl-over-tree/">Koala throws tantrum and cries after friend kicks it out of tree</a></strong></span></em></p> <p> </p>

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