Astonishing new footage shows gorilla 'PROTECTING' boy and holding his hand before being shot dead

Astonishing new footage how Harambe the gorilla was protecting a four-year-old boy who fell into his cage - minutes before he was shot dead.

Moments later, the 17-year-old gorilla was fatally shot by zoo staff in a bid to protect the boy who had fallen 12 feet into the enclosure.

However, eyewitnesses have claimed that the gorilla was showing no aggressive behaviour towards the boy.

It is claimed that screams from those watching the unfolding situation panicked the animal, causing him to drag the child at a quick speed across the water.read and watch video