20 years Before Harambe, Boy Fell Into Gorilla Pit at Illinois Zoo

Cincinnati Zoo - May 28th, 2016

It's the most-talked about story of the past week.

A 3-year-old boy fell 15 ft. into the gorilla enclosure of the Cincinnati Zoo on Saturday, May 28th, resulting in the loss of the zoo's beloved 17-year-old gorilla Harambe.

There's video footage of Harambe with the child in the enclosure. Some say that the gorilla was trying to protect the child, while others argue that he was claiming him possession.

The child was rescued after Harambe was shot and escaped the encounter with a 400 lb. gorilla with serious but non life-threatening injuries.

Brookfield Zoo - August 19th, 1996

A similar situation unfolded almost twenty years ago at the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois when a 3-year-old boy fell 20 ft. into a gorilla enclosure.

The boy laid unconscious and the then 8-year-old female gorilla Binti Jua cradled the young boy and carried him to the gate where rescuers met the animal and the child.

Video footage was also captured of the event at the Brookfield Zoo.

Who's to blame?

Many people have spoken out about how unjust the killing of Harambe was, but the Cincinnati Zoo continues to defend its decision to protect the child under any means necessary.

Update:

According to CNN, the Cincinnati Police will begin an investigation into "the actions of the parents/family that led up to the incident," and not on "the operation or safety of the Cincinnati Zoo."