Pictures on Twitter show boy standing on wrong side of fence while man holds his hand

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Dublin zoo has launched an inquiry after a young boy was photographed inside a rhino enclosure.

The photos emerged on social media over the weekend, showing the youngster standing on the wrong side of a fence and a man holding his hand from the viewing side.

Ciarán Ferrie (@ccferrie) Just a child inside the rhino enclosure at @dublinzoo pic.twitter.com/xxsn8Dm5Ag

A spokeswoman for the zoo said the incident was being reviewed internally.

It is understood the health and safety standards for the African savanna enclosure containing the zoo’s southern white rhinos are being examined.

One of the photos of the incident on Saturday afternoon was taken by architect Ciarán Ferrie, who posted it on Twitter.

Adrianna Straszewska (@Adriannasss) @ccferrie @DublinZoo this man had the child in behind the fence for good 20 minutes ! pic.twitter.com/BzhhUW5Obr

Photographs show the youngster less than a yard from the fence, standing on large boulders which act as an additional barricade several feet above the ground. The adult can be seen taking photos of him while passersby take pictures of the two of them.

Dublin zoo is expected to respond further to the incident in the coming days.