– John F. Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator
By now you surely have some awareness of the unfortunate incident that happened at the Cincinnati Zoo this past weekend. A three-year-old boy fell into a gorilla enclosure at the zoo which eventually led to an endangered-species gorilla being shot and killed by rescuers. Thankfully, the child is alive today. As expected, there has been a large amount of news coverage about this event and a huge reaction of wide-ranging opinions on social media.
So why am I discussing this event in a newsletter that you read for timely information on beef production and industry-related issues? It is the most recent and highly visible example of the disconnect between humans and their understanding of animal behavior. I believe the Cincinnati Zoo incident can be a valuable lesson for all parties involved in animal agriculture.
We live in a society where a very small percentage of the population is directly involved in production agriculture and a majority of the public has little understanding of the process of food production. Today, anyone with a “smart” phone can record footage and become a reporter. Social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter allow anyone that can type, the opportunity to offer “expert” commentary on the news today. Reaction to the zoo incident has been swift and judgmental at the least.
Look at the general reaction from the public and you can see the disconnect I mentioned. Various animal rights groups have criticized the zoo for their perceived rush to destroy the gorilla rather than continue to implement more peaceful methods to try to separate the boy and the gorilla. An angry mob has taken to the internet criticizing the parenting skills of an anonymous person and screamed for justice for the gorilla. Zoo safety procedures have been called into question.
These groups and individuals can have their opinions but I would question their true understanding of human and animal behavior. Put yourself in the same situation at the zoo. If your child was in the grasp of that same gorilla, would you prefer the handlers use distractions and patience to separate the child from the gorilla or a swift remedy to the situation that defers to the safety of the child? It is my understanding that this zoo enclosure has been in place for nearly four decades and nothing similar to this event had happened until this past weekend. I’m not sure this indicates negligence on the zoo’s part. While very few individuals are fully aware of the human actions that led to this incident, I would offer a little advice for those rushing to convict the parents of the boy. Now would be a good time to remember the old proverb that goes something like this: “People who live in glasses shouldn’t throw stones.”
I personally cannot relate to any mindset that thinks animal life should be more highly protected than a human life. However, our society increasingly narrows the gap between the treatment of humans and animals. Movies, television, advertisements, etc. have occasionally portrayed animals with human characteristics (Horses can’t talk and cattle can’t drive a truck!). Millions of dollars of products and services are bought and sold that will allow you to treat your dog or cat as well as you could treat your own child. Many of us have seen examples where animals were treated equally or better than humans in certain situations.
What can we as livestock producers learn from the Cincinnati Zoo incident? While we cannot prepare for every possible scenario, we must have facilities that minimize the risk of injury to humans and animals. Fencing must contain your animals where they are supposed to be located and should account for any size and gender differences between animals. When you are interacting with individuals on the farm or in a public situation, seize the opportunity to educate them about proper animal husbandry production practices that relate to modern food production. Be prepared to implement safety procedures when the opportunity for human-animal interaction exists on your farm or at a show where you may be exhibiting animals.
As a livestock producer, there may be times when individuals come to your farm to observe your operation or you have an opportunity to visit with individuals unfamiliar with animal agriculture. Be prepared to offer a positive view of production agriculture and educate the public about the steps our industry takes to produce a safe, wholesome food product. You never know when the public or a camera may be watching.