[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkOaGuF_Yik&w=560&h=315]

The Cleveland Metro Park Zoo is in the spot light for one Mom’s ridiculous behavior. An Ohio mom is being charged with misdemeanor child endangerment after her two year old son dropped nearly ten feet down into a Cheetah exhibit from the viewing deck. The mother was allegedly dangling the boy over the exhibit rail. The father was also present, but is currently not being charged. The parents went into the exhibit and retrieved their son without any interaction from the two cheetahs residing at the zoo. Thankfully, the child was not hurt. But this risky behavior begs the question of what limits or restrictions need to be in place at public zoos and aquariums so this kind of behavior can’t take place. To protect both the animals and people, what restrictions need to be implemented? Or is it more likely a case of a few people ruining it for everyone? The Zoo has closed the viewing deck while the investigation is pending.  MORE