Cincinnati Zoo gorilla Harambe shot dead after 4-year-old boy gets into enclosure

A Cincinnati zoo shot and killed a 17-year-old 400-pound male lowland gorilla that grabbed and dragged a four-year-old boy who fell into the its enclosure on Saturday afteoon.

Zoo officials said the boy, who fell 10 to 12 feet, is expected to recover after being picked up out of the moat and dragged by the gorilla named Harambe.

The boy was in the moat for about 10 minutes and was in between the gorilla's legs when the gorilla was shot, according to WLWT.

While zoo officials are still investigating, they believe the boy crawled through a railing barrier, and then fell into the moat.

Zoo officials said at the time boy fell in the moat, three gorillas were in the enclosure but the two female gorillas were called out immediately.

However, a third gorilla, Harambe, remained in the yard with the child.

Video footage emerged on Saturday revealing some of the chilling moments of the time the boy was inside the moat, as a panicked crowd looking on can be heard screaming as the ordeal unfolded.

Read More: WLWT