SOUTH AFRICA: ZOO GORILLA SHOOTING: SUSPECT APPEARS IN COURT скачать в хорошем качестве

SOUTH AFRICA: ZOO GORILLA SHOOTING: SUSPECT APPEARS IN COURT

(11 Aug 1997) Natural Sound A South African man who shot and wounded a gorilla in a Johannesburg zoo while fleeing police, appeared in court, on Monday. Max the gorilla hit the headlines last month, after Isaac Mofokeng entered his pen and in the ensuing struggle shot him several times. The 400-pound gorilla, although not severely injured, was taken to hospital while Mofokeng was captured and arrested. Despite his ordeal and injuries, Max the gorilla appeared fit and well on Monday, still a big draw to the crowds visiting Johannesburg zoo. The gorilla has gained many fans since he was shot, but appeared unimpressed with his new-found fame. The man who is charged with shooting and wounding Max in the zoo was reluctant to emerge from the police station, on Monday, to face the waiting media. Escorted by police he kept his head down and refused to answer any questions as he was put into a car and driven away to court. Isaac Mofokeng, of Soweto, was charged with shooting Max after he jumped into the gorilla pen while running from police who were chasing him for other alleged offences. He was attacked by Max, surprised to find an intruder in his territory. Zoo wardens believe Max was acting on his instincts to protect himself and his mate, Lisa, and in the ensuing struggle the gorilla was shot several times. Mofokeng is also alleged to have abducted a couple, stolen their car and raped the woman six days before the gorilla incident. Apart from the charges of rape and robbery, the 28-year-old will also be charged with pointing a firearm, discharging a firearm in a municipal area, illegal possession of a firearm, malicious damage to property and trespassing. Mofokeng appeared in the Johannesburg Regional Court to face all the charges which were centralised in one trial. Meanwhile, Max and his mate Lisa were making the most of the weather in their enclosure at Johannesburg Zoo. Although the gorilla's injuries were not life threatening he still had to undergo an operation to remove the bullets. One is still lodged in his body, although the gorilla had clearly recovered from his ordeal. The zoo held a "welcome home" party for Max when he was released from the hospital. At a later party he was also presented with a gorilla-sized bullet proof vest from the police. They were so impressed by his efforts to help in the fight against crime that they have made him a police reservist. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...