The #1 source for news about monkeys and apes

[Eric Brager <eric AT looney.com>]

http://www.wcpo.com/news/2004/local/05/24/muke.html

Gorilla Hits Young Zoo Visitor With Rock

An eight-year-old girl was no match for a 200 pound gorilla at the 
Cincinnati Zoo last week. 

The girl's mother tells 9News "Muke" proved to have quite the throwing arm 
and managed to hit her daughter in the face with a rock. 

9News reporter, Andrea Canning, found out first hand how good the primate's 
throw really is. 

9News caught Muke, the zoo's resident troublemaker in the act throwing 
grass and dirt at more little onlookers. 

"We really haven't had any problems until now and it appears one of our 
animals has decided this is a fun game," said Terri Roth, VP, Animal 
Sciences. 

Zoo officials said they may put up signs warning people about "egging" on 
the primates or even place a full time volunteer outside the exhibit in 
light of what happened to the little girl who was hit in the face and 
treated for minor injuries. 

"If people will just stay quiet and not even acknowledge it when she throws 
something she'll probably get bored of it and stop doing it," said Angela 
Tiemeier, mother. 

9News spoke to some mothers who had mixed feelings about the open nature of 
the exhibit. 

"They need to do something else to secure the area so the kids don't get 
hurt, netting or maybe glass," said Tanya McCarthy, mother. 

Beginning Friday an expert will be at the gorilla exhibit throughout the 
summer giving visitors a behind the scenes look at how they care for the 
animals and information about their histories and backgrounds. 

Gorilla handlers said if Muke does not smarten up they may have to give him 
a time out.

-- 
Eric Brager           ^ 
eric AT brager.com      /e\
eric AT looney.com      ---