Hide Transcript Show Transcript

WEBVTT AS THE ZOO PREPARES FOR ONE ITS MOST POPULAR SEASONS, USDA REPORT IS SHINING NEW LIGHT ON ONE OF ITS DARKT MOMENTS. >> UP TO MAY 28 THERE HAD BEEN NO ISSUES. BUT ON MAY 28, THEY HAD THAT ISSUE AND IT BECAME APPARENT IT WAS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE. BRIAN: I TALKED TO USDA SPOKESWOMAN TONYA ESPINOSA. SHE SAYS THE BARRIER WAS OUT OF COMPLIANCE, AFTER THE FACT, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS INSPECTED THE MONTH BEFORE AND DEEMED BY THE USDA AS IN COMPLIANCE. IF YOU WANT TO HEAR A PIN DROP, ASK FOR SOME CLARITY ON THE RULE. >> THE FACT IS THE BARRIER WAS NOT EFFECTIVE ON MAY 28. THEREFORE IT WAS A6 C13 NONCOMPLIANCE. BRIAN: BUT SHOULD THE USDA HAVE KNOWN THAT BEFOREHAND? SO, BOTTOM LINE, IT'S ON THE ZOO6 C13 TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT. AND ON MAY 28, IT DIDN'T DO THAT. A 3-YEAR-OLD GOT THROUGH THE BARRIER, FELL INTO THE MOAT AN6 C13 WAS PICKED UP BY HARAMBE. A ZOO RESPONSE TEAM MADE THE CONTROVERSIAL DECISION TO SHOOT AND KILL THE GORILLA. TODAY THE ZOO RELEASED THIS STATEMENT, SAYING IN PART, "IN ITS 38-YEAR HISTORY, E BARRIER SYSTEM AT GORILLA WORLD HAS ALWAYS BEEN FOUND COMPLIANT DURING USDA INSPTIONS, INCLUDING ONE CONDUCTED IN APRIL OF 2016. FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT THIS MAY, WE MODIFIED THE BAIER TO REASSURE THE PUBC AND OUR VISITORS." THE NEW BARRIER CONSIDERED IN COMPLIANCE, AT LEAST, AT LA INSPECTION. AT THE ZOO TODAY, THOSE WHO VISITED WEIGHED IN ON THE BARRIERS. >> I THINK THEY'RE GREAT. I NEVER SAW A PROBLEM WITH THEM BEFORE EITHER. >> THEY DO THE BEST THE CAN AND -- THEY CAN AND UNTIL A KID FIGURES OUT HOW TO GET IN,OW DO THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE CAPABLE OF DOING? BRIAN: THE INVESTIGATON IS ONGOING AND THE ZOO STILL COULD FACE FINES AND OTHER PENALTIES. THE FAMILY OF THE 3-YEAR-OLD RELEASED A STATEMENT TODAY SAYING IN PART, "THESE FINDINGS DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING FOR US. WE ARE THANKFUL TO THE LORDHAT OUR CHILD IS SAFE AND WELL.

Advertisement Feds: Cincinnati Zoo's gorilla barrier wasn't in compliance the day gorilla Harambe was shot Barrier passed inspection 6 weeks before incident Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A federal inspection has concluded that the Cincinnati Zoo's barrier to keep the public and gorillas separate wasn't in compliance with standards for housing primates the day a 3-year-old boy slipped into the gorilla exhibit. A USDA inspection in April, six weeks before the child got into the enclosure, yielded no violations at the zoo, and the barrier system has never been found to be noncompliant in previous inspections, the zoo pointed out in a statement released Thursday. "The Cincinnati Zoo reaffirms its longstanding commitment to the well-being of the resident animals and the safety of those inspired to view and conserve them," the zoo said in a written statement. "Its stellar record in that regard includes 43 million visitors over the last four decades who have enjoyed the Gorilla World exhibit without coming in contact with the gorillas." The USDA acknowledged that the organization had not found the barrier to be noncompliant in previous inspections. "Barriers between exhibits and the general public must restrict public contact from the animals," USDA spokesperson Tanya Espinosa said. "In the case of the incident that occurred at the Cincinnati Zoo, the barrier had been in existence since 1978 with no updates, and while there had not been any issues prior to the May 28th incident, it became apparent on May 28th that the barrier was no longer effective." The federal inspection report viewed by The Associated Press states that the zoo's dangerous-animal response team properly followed procedures after zoo visitors called 911 on May 28 to report a child in the gorilla enclosure. Full video: Child gets into Cincinnati Zoo gorilla enclosure A team member concluded that the child was in "life-threatening danger," and the 17-year-old gorilla named Harambe was killed. The zoo quickly improved the barrier following the gorilla's death. U.S. Agriculture Department spokeswoman Tanya Espinosa says an investigation is continuing. It could lead to fines or other disciplinary action. MORE 'Handsome Harambe' remembered by caretaker Photos from exhibit's reopening | Watch: Thane Maynard speaks about reopening