THERE has been an online backlash against a zoo’s decision to shoot a gorilla after a boy fell into its cage in the USA.

17-year-old male gorilla, Harambe, was killed on Saturday, May 28, after the toddler plunged 12 feet into the enclosure at Cincinnati Zoo.

Videos of the shocking incident emerged online showing the gorilla drag the four-year-old child through water inside the enclosure.

The zoo deemed that the child was in a life-threatening situation and decided to shoot the gorilla rather than risk it becoming agitated in the moments a tranquiliser dart would have taken to work.

The boy’s mother has reacted to criticism from animal rights campaigners online who claim she should have been keeping a closer eye on her son.

Others leapt to the parents' defence, saying the child should not have been able to get into the enclosure.

Meanwhile, further footage of the incident has emerged which some commentators believe shows the gorilla protecting the child.

What do you think?

Was the zoo right to shoot the gorilla?