Jane Goodall, British primatologist and ethologist, extends her sympathies to the Cincinnati Zoo, as well as to the gorilla community.
She had sent an e-mail to Cincinnati Zoo director, Thane Maynard, on Tuesday which was published on the Jane Goodall Institute website.
"I feel so sorry for you," Goodall addressing Maynard in the e-mail. "Having to try to defend something which you may well disapprove of," she continued.
Maynard told the press on Monday how the zoo officials followed procedure but grieves the loss of one of their gorillas. He expresses the call to action to shoot the 17-year-old lowland gorilla, Harambe, was justified as it threatens the life of the injured 4-year-old boy, who fell into the enclosure.
Goodall mentioned in her e-mail to Maynard that she observed that Harambe seemed to be "putting an arm round the child," for which she likened the action to the female gorilla from the Chicago exhibit, who saved and returned a child that got into the enclosure back in 1996.
The world renowned primatologist also inquired about how the other two female gorillas reacted to the death of their companion.
"Are they allowed to see, and express grief," she wrote. Goodall also stated that allowing them to grieve is also important.
A spokesman from the Jane Goodall Institute said on Tuesday that Goodall declined to speak about the issue any further, according to TIME.
The Cincinnati Zoo, as well as the mother of the victim received criticisms about the issue and puts the blame mostly on the mother. The public, along with numerous celebrities expressed that the death of the gorilla was unnecessary. The hashtag #Harambe was widely used as of late.
The zoo director has responded to the criticisms and has stated that officials has acted accordingly. Maynard also said that the child was safe, which was their priority.
