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This small safety barrier is all that stands protecting a child from gorillas at Cincinnati Zoo .

Parenting experts slammed the 3ft fence as 'inadequate', adding that any youngster is able to climb over it and enter the enclosure.

Endangered ape Harambe was shot dead on Saturday after a three-year-old boy breached the security fence.

Isiah Dickerson, who was with his mother Michelle Gregg, 36, entered the enclosure after saying: "Mummy, I want to swim with the gorilla."

Both parents were widely condemned after the incident for 'taking their eye' off him.

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But parenting expert Sue Atkins believes the above picture, first published by Mirror Online, shows the incident in a new light adding that the zoo must take responsibility.

Zoo bosses denied that their safety fences are inadequate, claiming that 'children can climb over everything'.

Cincinnati Zoo's gorilla display has been closed to the public since the weekend - so this is the first time the security precautions around the enclosure have been seen.

She said this morning: "How extraordinary! I wasn't there but the picture suggests it doesn't look particularly child proof.

poll loading Who do you think is to blame for the gorilla's death? 1000+ VOTES SO FAR The zoo The parents Both Nobody, it was an unfortunate accident

"Children will climb - that's their nature! They'll try to get over it, under it, around it.

"I can see a fence that doesn't appear to be adequate protection for a three-year-old. The zoo needs to address its height for children.

"You're very lucky you haven't got an injury of death on your hands."

This is another photo purporting to show the gorilla enclosure at Cincinnati Zoo

(Image: Robert Streithorst)

At around three foot at most, the metal and wire barrier in the picture appears to be easy for a child to climb.

The zoo's director Thomas Maynard had earlier insisted the barriers made the enclosure safe.

He had said: "We all need to work to make sure our families are safe. Do you know any four-year-olds? They can climb over anything.

(Image: Facebook) (Image: Robert Streithorst)

"Any of us could climb over barriers if we choose. As I said, you can lock your car or lock your house, but if someone wants to get in, they can."

Readers were shocked to see a fence of around just three foot high separating the public from the display - made of horizontal wires potentially making it easier for children to climb over.

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On the other side of the fence is a short row of bushes and behind that is a 15ft drop into the moat where three-year-old Isaiah Dickerson - who had slipped away from his mum - fell down to come face to face with the beast.

Readers were equally as shocked to see the height of the barrier finally revealed in the photos.

Taylor Compston posted on Twitter: "Just saw Cincinnati Zoo 's "safe" barrier, because a 2-3 foot tall metal bar is sooo safe."

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Another, Lisa Taylor, posted: "Parents were responsible but the zoo should have had a barrier that a 3 yr old couldn't get through. Both at fault."

Sue Atikns, who wrote 'Parenting Made Easy: How to Raise Happy Children' has given Mirror Online a three point guide for worried and stressed parents who are taking their children out to zoos.

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She says: "We need to ask ourselves what lessons can we learn. The zoo needs to address the height and safety for the children and parents need to spell out the rules."

(Image: NBC News)

She says the key things are:

1. Talk and teach about rules and safety in public places. Risk assess everywhere you go and tell children 'the animals look lovely but they are dangerous' and tell them to stay close.

2. Be firm and fair. Have consequences and follow up on them. If your child breaks the rules, get down on their level and talk to them. Look at the circumstances. Have a couple of simple rules and ensure they obey them. Don't say 'we'll go home if...' unless you are willing to follow up on it.

3. If you know your child is stubborn and rueful, hold their hand and make sure they don't run off and wriggle free - and don't turn your back!