Remember That Kid Who Fell Into The Gorilla Enclosure In Cincinnati? Here’s What The New Barrier Looks Like

After a boy fell into the Cincinnati Zoo’s gorilla exhibit, ultimately forcing the zoo to shoot a 17-year-old 450-pound silverback to death, causing outrage on the internet, zoo officials announced that when the exhibit reopens on Tuesday a new, slightly higher fence will be in place.

Michelle Curley, a spokesman for the zoo, said the barrier around Gorilla World will be raised a half-foot from its previous height of 42 inches. Also, there will be netting on the bottom, unlike the open wires that allowed the small boy to fit through and ultimately fall 15 feet into the gorilla pit.

Scroll below for a picture of what the new fence will look like(left) and what the existing one looks like(right)…

In the clip below posted by the Cincinnati Zoo you can see the fence and the baboon enclosure…

TheDailyMail posted a graphic depicting the situation…

Zoo officials also pointed out that in their 38-year history, there had never been an issue and the previous barrier had passed multiple inspections by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Zoo director Thane Maynard said in a statement, “Our exhibit goes above and beyond standard safety requirements, but in light of what happened, we have modified the outer public barrier to make entry even more difficult.”

Three-year-old Isiah Dickerson climbed through the fence and 4-feet of bushes before taking a plunge down the rock wall into Harambe’s gorilla habitat.

Cincinnati police have declined to file charges against Isiah’s mother, Michelle Gregg, 32, who works as a Daycare Administrator in Little Blossoms Academy which is a local preschool. The DailyMail notes that Isiah’s father Deonne Dickerson, 36, has a lengthy criminal history stretching over a decade which includes burglary, firearms offenses, drug trafficking, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and kidnap. The couple has four children together.

Thankfully, Gregg posted on Facebook that her son is doing well and “walked away with a concussion and a few scrapes…. no broken bones or internal injuries.”

A family member released a statement on Saturday thanking people for their support. “We are so thankful to the Lord that our child is safe. He is home and doing just fine. We extend our heartfelt thanks for the quick action by the Cincinnati Zoo staff. We know that this was a very difficult decision for them, and that they are grieving the loss of their gorilla. We hope that you will respect our privacy at this time.”

“We are also very appreciative for the expressions of concern and support that have been sent to us. Some have offered money to the family, which we do not want and will not accept. If anyone wishes to make a gift, we recommend a donation to the Cincinnati Zoo in Harambe’s name.”

Click below for the 911 call Gregg made during the ordeal…