These are the heartbreaking moments before Harambe the gorilla is shot dead just moments after a boy stroked the "gentle" giant's fur.
Worldwide outrage was sparked after zookeepers at Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio, US, shot dead the 17-year-old silverback gorilla on May 28, 2016 after fearing Isaiah Dickerson, 3, would be hurt.
The footage has resurfaced seven years on which shows the gorilla is seen holding onto the boy's hand before gently touching him on the arm in the enclosure.
However, Isaiah's mum Michelle Gregg, along with other zoo park visitors, soon scream after fearing for the boy's life.
And just minutes later the endangered Harambe was shot dead by zoo staff after believing the three-year-old was in danger.
However, animal experts claimed the gorilla was showing no aggressive behaviour towards the boy and appeared relaxed throughout the video.
He even helped the little boy to his feet with Isiah appearing awe struck at the huge primate.
Ape expert Dr Emily Bethell, a senior lecturer in Primate Behaviour at Liverpool John Moores University, said the gorilla was not showing any threatening behaviour towards the child.
She said: “He was clearly being protective towards the boy.
“There were no signs of the gorilla being aggressive in the sense that he wanted to hurt the boy or anything like that.
“The biggest threat to the boy I would say is obviously when the gorilla moved and dragged him, that could have caused some harm, but the gorilla’s body language is definitely protective.”
In the video, the boy is seen sitting calmly next to the huge animal and at one stage appears to wrap his arms around him.
Dr Bethell added: “I would speculate that the boy is a new stimulus, he’s something novel.
“The gorillas would never have seen a child at such close quarters.
“The child obviously wasn’t posing any threat to the gorillas so there’s no need to attack him and I think it’s fortunate for the boy that one gorilla came over and effectively shielded him and kept the other gorillas away.
“I think it looks mostly like a case of extreme interest by the gorillas.”
The boy's mum Michelle faced criticism from social media users and animal rights campaigners who believe she should have kept a closer eye on the toddler.
She was forced to defend herself on Facebook at the time of the tragic shooting, she wrote: "I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers today.
"What started off as a wonderful day turned into a scary one.
"For those of you that have seen the news or been on social media that was my son that fell in the gorilla exhibit at the zoo.
"God protected my child until the authorities were able to get to him."
Stunned visitors also witnessed the horrific moment Harambe was shot dead including Brittany Nicely, who was at the scene with her children.
Ms Nicely also claimed the gorilla was not being aggressive towards the boy.
She wrote: "R.I.P Harambe so so sad. Witnessing this situation and hearing them shoot him has been one of the most horrific things I have ever been a part of.
"My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the staff at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and the people who witnessed it.
"Also sending prayers for a speedy recovery of the little boy!"
Jerry Stones, 74, from Texas, raised 17-year-old Harambe since birth, and described him as a "gentle giant".
He said: "He was a special guy in my life. Harambe was my heart. It's like losing a member of the family.
“I raised him from a baby, he was a sweet cute little guy. He grew up to be a pretty, beautiful male. He was very intelligent. Very, very intelligent.
"His mind was going constantly. He was just such a sharp character."
