This Morning host said he SUPPORTS gorilla shooting at Cincinnati Zoo
The This Morning host said it would have been tragic if the boy, four, was killed
EAMONN Holmes infuriated This Morning viewers after saying he supported the shooting of a gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo to protect the life of a young boy who fell into its enclosure.
The presenter and wife Ruth Langsford were standing in for regular weekday hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield when the controversial topic became their first talking point.
During a chat with Jersey-based zookeeper Lee Durrell about a similar incident, Eamonn refuted suggestions gorilla Harambe was trying to protect not harm the four-year-old and said: "To me as a parent it l would have wanted someone to take the shot.
"I think it would have been much more awful if we were here today talking about the death of that young child.
"Were there other options open to people in Cincinnati other than fatal bullet?"
Lee responded and said her animal centre would probably have had a marksman standing by.
Though she suggested the beast was showing kindness - not a killing instinct.
Lee said: "Truthfully to me it looked like he was going into gorilla protect mode or at least gorilla very puzzled mode.
"The business of dragging him by the leg that's how gorillas behave with each other
"It's hard to say it looked to me like it's protection really."
She revealed the incident at her zoo, back in 1986, was "extraordinary" and switched people's perceptions of the huge creatures.
Yet telly fans were quick to slam stand-in host Eamonn for his brash views.
Refering to the Northern Irish host, one wrote: "Guy on this morning said 'it would be more tragic if the kid died rather than the gorilla' I think that is so f**king wrong."
Another added: "I cant believe this morning are supporting the zoo that shot the gorilla its the parents fault for not keeping their child safe smh," while one ranted: "The gorilla debate on This Morning is winding me up, should never have been shot and the parents were idiots."
More than 300,000 people have signed a petition stating the youngster's parents should be held accountable.
Online users slamming the zoo's fatal decision also set the #ripharumbe Twitter hashtag trending.
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Footage released yesterday appears to show the 400-pound animal trying to protect the child.
The clip shows Harambe standing guard over the boy in the corner of the moat, and the two even seem at one point to be holding hands.
Witnesses claim the gorilla was acting protectively in the tense situation and may have been protecting the child from panicked onlookers who screamed as they watched from above.
Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard confirmed the boy was not under attack, but he described it as "an extremely strong animal in an agitated situation" before supporting the response team's decision to kill the animal.
The incident, which was captured on a mobile phone, has sparked an outcry of emotion with thousands of mourners branding it a "senseless death".
Ian Redmond, boss of the Ape Alliance, said: "He pulled the child through the water of the moat, held his hand gently, stood him up and adjusted his clothing.
"There was nothing in the video that suggested the child was in a life-threatening situation."
Jillian Miller, of The Gorilla Organization, said: "It looks to me like it was protecting the child. Maybe a keeper should have tried to talk to it.” She also demanded an inquiry, adding: “How on earth was the child allowed to make it into the enclosure?"
A statement from the unnamed family read: "We are so thankful to the Lord that our child is safe. He is home and doing just fine. We extend our heartfelt thanks for the quick action by the Cincinnati Zoo staff.
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