Five Years Ago: Harambe the gorilla shot and killed at the Cincinnati Zoo

(WLNE) – Five years ago today, the 17-year-old silverback gorilla named Harambe was shot and killed after a 3-year-old boy fell 15-feet into his enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Rescuers concluded that the boy’s life was at stake and that ultimately lead to the decision to shoot the 450lb gorilla.

Thane Maynard, the director of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, said they “would make the same decision” looking back.

According to Maynard, Harambe was “six-time stronger than a man” and was acting “erratically” when he was killed.

The decision led to mourning and criticism around the globe.

Video of the incident can be viewed here.

*This story uses information provided by the Associated Press