Since When Does a Child Deserve to be Mauled to Death

I usually don’t write about this kind of stuff on my blog, but I’m in complete shock to read all of the criticism and judgment the Cincinnati Zoo has received. I just can’t believe people are “boycotting” the zoo for choosing the life of a child in a situation like this. I can’t imagine how hard this decision was for the zoo but I applaud them for doing something heroic and courageous–choosing to save the life of a child even in light of knowing the loss and grief the zoo would encounter and the criticism they would receive. Thank you for seeing that this child’s life was worth saving!

The comments I’ve read by irate people on this issue has my heart in a state of sadness.What has happened to our society? Since when does a child deserve to be mauled to death? Where has the compassion and empathy gone for mankind?

Seriously, what has happened that people believe a child should be mauled by a gorilla because he was being a “brat”, as some have called this preschooler for not obeying his parents and falling into a dangerous situation.

Thank goodness that our parenting mistakes aren’t made public for others to judge us so harshly. What parent can honestly say, none of the situations below have ever happened to them!

My preschooler has NEVER wandered off? I’m not talking about wandering off into something dangerous but just wander off–EVER.

My preschooler is ALWAYS immediately obediently in EVERYTHING?

My preschooler has never tested our decisions?

My preschooler has never gotten themselves into trouble?

You don’t have to be a negligent parent to have a preschooler sneak away and do something you’ve asked him not to do. If any of you parents have NEVER had a child wander off, and whose child is ALWAYS obedient and compliant then be the first to throw a stone.  Why are we so quick to judge and condemn?

Yes, I’m aware this preschooler didn’t make a good decision on his part, but what preschooler knows how to weigh danger and desire.

Yes, this was a tragic and sad death of an amazing creature that will be missed not just at the Cincinnati Zoo but worldwide.

Yes, I’m aware that as parents we have to have our “game on” at all times, but the reality is we don’t ALWAYS. From what I have read, an eye witness shares her account of the situation, this mother wasn’t being negligent, she stopped to snap a picture of the gorilla and next thing you know her child was gone.

…the mother was calling for her son. Actually, just prior to him going over, but she couldn’t see him crawling through the bushes! She said “He was right here! I took a pic and his hand was in my back pocket and then gone!” As she could find him nowhere, she lookes to my husband (already over the railing talking to the child) and asks, “Sir, is he wearing green shorts? ” My husband reluctantly had to tell her yes, when she then nearly had a break down!

But let’s just say, that the mom was indeed being negligent, and the child was being defiant and thought it would be amazing to jump in to the gorilla’s enclosure.

Even then, do you really believe this child should have his little body dragged around by a 400-lb gorilla and just hope for the best?

Even then, this child’s life was worth saving!

Has our world really gotten to the point that it prefers to have headlines read, “4 Year Old is Mauled to Death by a Gorilla”? The comments on this tweet and other websites I’ve read are incredulous.

Protestors outside Cincinnati Zoo, demanding action for #Harambe, Gorilla shot after child fell in enclosure. @WLWT pic.twitter.com/DZNlP7AcZ7

— Tammy Mutasa (@TammyMutasaWLWT) May 29, 2016

 

For all of the critics out there I have one question for you: If this would’ve been your child, grandchild, sister, brother… in the gorilla enclosure, do you still feel like the zoo made the wrong decision?