Harambe, a 17-year-old endangered gorilla, was living at Cincinnati Zoo until 5/28/2016 when an unsupervised child entered Harambe's enclosure. Harambe didn't show aggression, or harm the child intentionally, but instead seemed to show he was protecting the child from people who were screaming down into the enclosure. When the child screamed Harambe interacted with the child as though he was concerned, and dragged him away from onlookers. The Cincinnati Zoo made their decision to end Harambe's life, as the ONLY option to rescue the child. Harambe was then shot and killed. Please see the following link for the full video:

http://m.wlwt.com/news/full-video-boy-falls-into-gorilla-world-exhibit-at-cincinnati-zoo/39781440

This is Not the first time a zoo has had an incident with a Gorilla and people. In 2007, Bokito, a male Gorilla, had escaped from his zoo enclosure. He attacked, and injured people. He was agitated, aggressive, injured people, and weighed in at 400lbs, just like Harambe. Still, Bokito was tranquilized and not killed. Why then, given the state of Harambe's situation, given he was not intentionally aggressive, and given the zoo had 10 minutes to respond, could he not be tranquilized? Why couldn't Harambe's life have been spared? You can learn about Bokito here:

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18767315/ns/world_news-europe/t/dutch-woman-still-likes-gorilla-despite-attack/

http://m.nydailynews.com/news/world/mauled-ape-gorilla-article-1.253023

Gorilla's reaction to child in prior years: https://youtu.be/N05CItceEdg

The Cincinnati Zoo President has stated, "The right decision was made," a multitude of people are against the zoo's decision to kill Harambe. Many have asked why not use a tranquilizer gun? The Cincinnati Zoo president has stated a tranquilizer could not be used, further stating, "The reason tranquilizing was not chosen is in an agitated situation, which the male was, it may take quite a while for a tranquilizer to take effect." Later he stated it would take a few minutes. However, the zoo president also stated when interviewed by media, that the Gorilla had the child in his possession for about 10 minutes. This means time allowed for Harambe to be tranquilized, had the dangerous animal response team reacted sooner. You can watch the video here:

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/05/28/police-child-taken-hospital-after-falling-into-gorilla-pen/85095094/

In light of this situation concerning Harambe's death, we the undersigned ask for Bokito's Law a legislative bill be passed requiring:

1.) Tranquilizers be enforced, and utilized at Cincinnati Zoo/all zoos instead of Killing the animal in these situations.

2.) A system be implemented where security will be heightened at animal enclosures in all Zoos, as a mandatory condition of operation. Including, but not limited to mandatory dangerous animal response employees stationed in close enough proximity to respond and tranquilize if needed.

3.) Enclosure standards be revised, and proper enclosure reinforcements be installed at Cincinnati Zoo/All zoos, for the safety of all people, and animals.

A strong argument exists to shut down zoos in their entirety given repeated, tragic events such as with Harambe. If said zoos will not close, and will continue to operate, we the undersigned all government to pass the proposed bill to ensure safety for humans and animals alike in the best interest for all.