Boy Falling In Gorilla Enclosure At Ohio Zoo Prompts Safety Conversation At Phila. Zoo
By Greg Argos
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Just days after a young boy fell into an animal enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo, forcing officials to shoot and kill an endangered gorilla, zoo workers in Philadelphia are ensuring visitors that safety in their number one priority.
"First I would say, don't worry, we're in a safe environment. This barrier here for example has mesh on it so a kid who gets away from their parents for a few minutes, can't get through," said Philadelphia Zoo Chief Operating Officer Andy Baker.
Baker praises his counterpart's response to the difficult situation in Cincinnati. "This was a tragic situation," he said. "I think Cincinnati handled it very well and very professionally."
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He says that the incident there will lead to additional training for his team.
"Anytime something happens, we all go back and look at our campus, look at our protocols, look at our training and make sure we're doing everything we can to create a safe environment that also supports a great guest experience."
With more than 1.2 million visitors each year, and hundred of very strong year-round tenants, Philadelphia Zoo officials are ready for any situation.
"We have a gun trained team, that in an emergency situation like this, where a human life is at immediate and serious risk, that at the end of the day we're prepared to respond in the same way."
Philadelphia Zoo officials also say that a part of the burden for safety also falls on the parents visiting the zoo with their children.
