Edited: (was Oh I'm pissed of now...)

[acroyear]

The original post here was an emotional reaction to a confusing situation, based on incomplete (and certainly incorrect) information and first thoughts. My knowledge of what gorillas normally are like, as reasonably peaceful animals particularly in their native habitats, fell into extreme conflict with the way the situation was described, and so certainly my first reaction was that the "humans" were to blame.

The thread of discussion that follows is pretty educational, both on the situation, and on the different types of counter-arguments to bring rational thought back to correct an emotional impulse.

To whizzrjohn and other police officers, I apologize sincerely for my final comment in the original post. When an officer says in a report or press conference that "there was no other option" (or relatedly, "we did what we were trained to do"), I'll try to be more critical of my own cynicism and skepticism before opening my dumb mouth in being critical of them.

'cause of this example of extreme stupidity and unnecessary violence out of utter ignorance.

Animals just want to be left alone. If its coming your direction, get out of the fucking way. Its that simple. It ain't gonna attack anybody unless you threaten it, or its hungry and you either have, or are, food. If it charged you, its 'cause you intentionally looked threatening to it and you were the stupid one. You don't corner an animal the same way you might corner a person on the run...

I want the SPCA to file a lawsuit against the two cops. Firing 3 shots is signs you panicked, not signs you were being defensive, or asserting that you were "protecting civilians".

Bastards.

Comments

I made some calls to some old friends...

[nvqrjaaajkss.livejournal.com]

and unfortunately from the video camera footage, etc., the gorilla unfortunately had to die...PERIOD.

I HATE the fact that an animal had to die but the REALITY is it had to, PERIOD!

*******

It does NOT apply against an unarmed or close-ranged (knife) individual who will fall back on the impact and likely not be in a position to threaten after the first hit. "Aim for the leg" is still a very valid option, particularly with apes who have the largest rear limbs of any of the ape family, including us. For that matter, a good hit to the shoulder will also knock an ape for a loop, as they're also abnormally large.
**********
AGAIN...you dont know large animals thoroughly enough or you wouldnt even say the above.

and "taunting" is relative. the kids weren't *THAT* close to it, from the way the cage/pen is described.
*****
WTF!? Relative? I HAVE seen what happens to MANY wild animals who are "taunted" by utter garbage. I agree with your friend...see how much they would want to taunt if placed in the cage of the animal. THIS is UNFORGIVEABLE and INEXCUSABLE and WRONG! If I ever see your kids doing this at a zoo, I'll take them and you WONT be getting them back!

and for that matter, the gorilla was "cornered" when it was shot. WHERE WERE THE TRANQS THEN?
******
YET ANOTHER DUMB QUESTION. Probably a NUMBER of yards away and TIME was clearly an important matter here. I'll give you an example. An old roommate from the city wanted "pepper spray" and I asked her what was she going to do with it since 9 times out of 10 the victim can not pull it and activate it quick enough. I then asked her what was she going to do say "Excuse me a minute while I get my...!" ...SAME thing here...I can see it now...the cops saying "Hold on there fella while we go get those tranqs so we dont have to use real bullets!"

KNOCK IT OFF! NOW!


how did two cops get to be in a position that several zookeepers trained in using the tranq guns were unable to be in?
*****
DUUUUUH! BECAUSE from the video footage THEY were the FIRST ones that were ABLE to react!

I am THOROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED in whay you are saying...AND also QUITE surprised!

...but I still loves ya! ;)