Story highlights Trump said it was a tough call

But added the child could have been hurt or killed

New York (CNN) Donald Trump said Tuesday that a Cincinnati zoo "probably had no choice" but to kill a gorilla after a young boy had entered his enclosure.

"It was a very tough call," the presumptive Republican nominee said at a press conference at Trump Tower in New York when he was asked about the controversy.

Trump said the gorilla appeared "beautiful" and "calm," and almost mother-like with a toddler that came into his habitat.

JUST WATCHED Cincinnati Zoo stands by decision to kill gorilla Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Cincinnati Zoo stands by decision to kill gorilla 03:25

A 3-year-old boy slipped into the enclosure of a 17-year-old male gorilla named Harambe, who quickly took hold of the child. At times, the gorilla sat still with the toddler, but those quiet periods were interrupted by bouts of knocking the child against a wall and dragging him around a shallow moat.

The gorilla was quickly killed by zoo keepers, causing an emotional debate over whether zoo staff did the right thing.

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