CINCINNATI — A barrier separating Cincinnati Zoo visitors from a gorilla exhibit wasn’t in compliance with standards when a 3-year-old boy slipped inside, resulting in the shooting death of an endangered gorilla named Harambe, federal inspectors concluded.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection report also stated the zoo’s dangerous-animal response team properly followed procedures after visitors called 911 on May 28 to report a child in the gorilla enclosure. A team member concluded the child was in “life-threatening danger.”

The death of the 17-year-old male western lowland gorilla led to mourning around the globe and a storm of criticism and social media attention.

The zoo quickly made the barrier taller and added nylon mesh and surveillance cameras. It said there had been no previous problems in the Gorilla World exhibit’s 38-year history and its barriers were always found compliant in earlier federal inspections, including in April.

The federal investigation is continuing and could lead to fines or other disciplinary action.

The department’s animal welfare arm confirmed the zoo’s barrier system had been considered to be in compliance during earlier inspections.

Zoo Director Thane Maynard said the zoo will continue to work with authorities to ensure its exhibits meet or exceed standards.

“We remain committed to visitor and animal safety,” Maynard said.