View source for Harambe

{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Short description|Captive gorilla (1999–2016)}}
{{For-multi|the Kenyan tradition|Harambee|other uses}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox animal
| name = Harambe
| image = Harambe with boy.jpg
| image_upright = 
| caption = Still frame from a video showing Harambe holding the 3-year-old boy
| species = [[Western gorilla]]
| breed = 
| gender = Male
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1999|5|27}}
| birth_place = [[Gladys Porter Zoo]], Brownsville, Texas, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age |2016|5|28|1999|5|27}}
| death_place = [[Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden]], Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
| death_cause = Gunshot wound<ref name="Foster"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Cincinnati gorilla shooting: Police to investigate parents |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36420437 |access-date=May 30, 2021 |work=BBC News |date=June 1, 2016}}</ref>
| resting_place = 
| known = Circumstances of death
| owner = 
| residence = {{ubl|Gladys Porter Zoo (1999–2014)|Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (2014–2016)}}
| parents = 
| children = 
| weight = {{cvt|440|lb}}
| height = 
| namedafter = [[Rita Marley]] song
| website = 
}}
'''Harambe''' ({{IPAc-en|h|ə|ˈ|r|ɑː|m|b|eɪ}} {{respell|hə|RAHM|bay}}; May 27, 1999 – May 28, 2016) was a [[western lowland gorilla]] who lived at the [[Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden|Cincinnati Zoo]]. On May 28, 2016, a three-year-old boy visiting the zoo climbed under a fence into an outdoor gorilla enclosure where he was grabbed and violently dragged and thrown by Harambe.<ref name="McPhate 2016-05-30">{{cite web |last=McPhate |first=Mike |title=Gorilla Killed After Child Enters Enclosure at Cincinnati Zoo |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 29, 2016 |access-date=May 29, 2021 |quote=Cincinnati Fire Department personnel responding to the scene witnessed the gorilla “violently dragging and throwing the child,” according to an incident report. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/30/us/gorilla-killed-after-child-enters-enclosure-at-cincinnati-zoo.html }}</ref> Fearing for the boy's life, a zoo worker shot and killed Harambe. The incident was recorded on video and received broad international coverage and commentary, including controversy over the choice to use [[lethal force]]. Several [[primatologist]]s and [[Conservation movement|conservationists]] wrote later that the zoo had no other choice under the circumstances, and that it highlighted the danger of zoo animals near humans and the need for better standards of care.

Harambe became the subject of [[Internet meme]]s, [[Harambe (statue)|a statue]], songs, and other tributes and recognitions.

==History==
===Early life and upbringing===

Harambe was born at [[Gladys Porter Zoo]] in [[Brownsville, Texas]], on May 27, 1999. He was named by Dan Van Coppenolle, a local area counselor who won a naming contest sponsored by the zoo.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KIMXGElC7Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211218/8KIMXGElC7Q |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |url-status=live |title=Announcing the name of a baby lowland gorilla, 'Harambe' |work=[[KGBT-TV]] |last=Bigfoot Journeys |date=January 27, 2014 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He came up with the name after listening to the 1988 song "Harambe (Working Together for Freedom)" by [[Rita Marley]], widow of [[Bob Marley]].<ref name="Van Coppenolle"/> ''[[Harambee]]'' is a [[Swahili language|Swahili]] term for [[Communal work|communal labor]].<ref name="Van Coppenolle">{{cite news |last=Van Coppenolle |first=Dan |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/31/opinions/harambe-death-meaning-coppenolle/index.html |title=I named Harambe. What his death means to me |publisher=CNN |date=June 1, 2016 |access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref>

On January 6, 2002, when Harambe was two years old, his mother, Kayla, his 11-month-old brother, Makoko, and his two-year-old half-sister, Uzuri, died of [[chlorine gas poisoning]] after chlorine tablets left too close to a space heater released gas into the gorilla enclosure. Harambe was also possibly injured in the accident.<ref name="O'Neill">{{cite web |last=O'Neill |first=Kara |title=Shot gorilla's Harambe's mother and brother were GASSED TO DEATH in chlorine leak at zoo |work=[[The Daily Mirror]] |date=June 1, 2016 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/shot-gorillas-harambes-mother-brother-8096035}}</ref> 

On September 18, 2014, Harambe was transferred to the [[Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden]], to learn adult gorilla behavior and join a new social group.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/silverback-gorilla-comes-to-cincinnati-zoo-for-spring-training |title=Cincinnati Zoo gets silverback gorilla Harambe for 'spring training' |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=April 14, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531200420/http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/silverback-gorilla-comes-to-cincinnati-zoo-for-spring-training |publisher=WCPO |archive-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://cincinnatizoo.org/new-rookie-silverback-in-gorilla-world-for-spring-training/ |title=New Rookie Silverback in Gorilla World for Spring Training |work=The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden |date=April 14, 2015 |access-date=March 11, 2024 }}</ref>

=== Death ===
On May 28, 2016, a 3-year-old boy visiting the Cincinnati Zoo fell into the moat at the Gorilla World habitat.<ref name="Park"/><ref name="Knight"/>

Witnesses said they heard the child say he wanted to go into the gorilla enclosure.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/mum-boy-who-fell-gorilla-8080846 |title=Mum of boy who fell into gorilla zoo enclosure blasts critics saying 'accidents happen' |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |first=John |last=Shammas |date=May 30, 2016 |access-date=June 20, 2016}}</ref> The boy then climbed a {{convert|3|ft|m|adj=mid|1|-tall}} fence, crawled through {{convert|4|ft}} of bushes, and then fell {{convert|15|ft}} into a moat of shallow water. Zoo officials immediately signaled for the three gorillas in the habitat to return inside, and two females did so. However, the third gorilla, the inquisitive {{convert|440|lb|adj=on}} male [[Gorilla#Social structure|silverback]] Harambe, climbed down into the moat to investigate the child splashing in the water.<ref name="Knight"/>

Over the next 10 minutes, Harambe became increasingly "agitated and disoriented" by the screams of onlookers.<ref name="Hall">{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-gorilla-killing-20160531-snap-story.html |title=Lesson of the Cincinnati gorilla killing: The zoo is not a playground |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |first=Carla |last=Hall |date=May 31, 2016 |access-date=June 20, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Angier">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/07/science/gorilla-shot-harambe-zoo.html |title=Do Gorillas Even Belong in Zoos? Harambe's Death Spurs Debate |work=The New York Times |first=Natalie |last=Angier |date=June 6, 2016 |access-date=June 20, 2016}}</ref> He carried the child through the water, occasionally propping him up when he sat, or pushing him down when he stood.<ref name="Hall"/> Harambe exhibited "strutting" behavior—walking around with legs and arms stiffly extended to appear bigger—a bluffing move, though one with inherent danger should he throw or drag the boy around too roughly.<ref name="Angier"/> Harambe then carried the boy up a ladder out of the moat onto dry land. Afraid for the boy's welfare, zoo officials decided to kill Harambe, doing so with a single rifle shot to the head.<ref name="McPhate 2016-05-30" /><ref name="O'Neill" /> Cincinnati firefighters said the boy was between Harambe's legs when the shot was fired.<ref name="Knight">{{cite web |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/05/29/boy-who-fell-into-zoo-gorilla-exhibit-out-hospital/85131108/ |title=How boy got into gorilla enclosure |work=USA Today |publisher=Cincinnati.com |first=Cameron |last=Knight |date=June 1, 2016 |access-date=June 20, 2016 |quote=a 3-year-old boy dropped into the Gorilla World exhibit}}</ref>

Harambe was killed one day after his 17th birthday.<ref name="Hall"/> The boy was given a trauma assessment and transported to [[Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center]]; his injuries were non-life-threatening.<ref name="Foster">{{cite web |first=Matthew |last=Foster |title=3-Year-Old Who Fell Into Cincinnati Zoo's Gorilla Enclosure Expected to Recover |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/year-picked-gorilla-cincinnati-zoo-escapes-injury/story?id=39454916 |date=May 29, 2016 |website=ABC News |access-date=July 2, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

==Reactions==
[[File:Memorial to Harambe.jpg|thumb|Memorial for Harambe at the Cincinnati Zoo, June 12, 2016]]
The incident was recorded in a dramatic video by an anonymous bystander and uploaded to YouTube, where it went [[viral video|viral]], sparking global publicity and controversy.<ref>{{youTube|id=Zfuz7cTDNeI|title=Cincinnati zoo kills gorilla to save boy who fell into enclosure}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Hatty |last=Collier |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/zoo-faces-backlash-over-decision-to-shoot-gorilla-dead-after-boy-4-fell-into-enclosure-a3259326.html |title=Zoo faces backlash over decision to shoot gorilla dead after boy, 4, fell into enclosure |date=May 28, 2016 |work=London Evening Standard |access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref> Some observers said that it was unclear whether Harambe was likely to harm the child.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/killed-gorilla-seemed-protect-child-who-fell-enclosure-witness-n582311 |first=Elisha |last=Fieldstadt |title=Killed Gorilla Seemed to Protect Child Who Fell in Enclosure: Witness |date=May 29, 2016 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Rohan |last=Smith |url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/animal-behaviour-expert-says-silverback-gorilla-harambe-was-not-trying-to-harm-defenceless-child/news-story/94d83332fbb86df234989f66ae621d67 |title=Gorilla shot dead in zoo: Killing unnecessary, primate expert says – Video |date=May 30, 2016 |work=NewsComAu |access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref> Others called for the boy's parents or the zoo to be held accountable for the gorilla's death.<ref>{{cite news |last=Grinberg |first=Emanuella |title=Critics blame parents, Cincinnati Zoo for gorilla's death |publisher=CNN |date=May 29, 2016 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/29/us/cincinnati-zoo-gorilla-shot/index.html |access-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref> Zoo director [[Thane Maynard]] stated, "The child was being dragged around&nbsp;... His head was banging on concrete. This was not a gentle thing. The child was at risk."<ref name="McPhate 2016-05-30" /><ref name="McPhate 2016-05-31">{{cite news |last=McPhate |first=Kate |title=Zoo's Killing of Gorilla Holding a Boy Prompts Outrage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/31/us/zoos-killing-of-gorilla-holding-a-boy-prompts-outrage.html |access-date=May 31, 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=May 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/28/us/zoo-kills-gorilla/index.html |title=Gorilla shot to save child at Cincinnati zoo |last1=Ralph |first1=Ellis |first2=Rashard |last2=Rose |date=May 29, 2016 |publisher=CNN |access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref>

Police investigated possible criminal charges against the parents while the parents defended the zoo's actions.<ref name="McCabe">{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ohio-gorilla-idUSKCN0YM1XH |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531220300/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ohio-gorilla-idUSKCN0YM1XH |access-date=March 11, 2024 |date=May 31, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 31, 2016 |title=Gorilla killing at Cincinnati zoo sparks probe into possible criminal charges |first=Ginny |last=McCabe |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/astonishing-new-footage-shows-gorilla-8082168 |title=Astonishing new footage shows gorilla 'PROTECTING' boy and holding his hand before being shot dead |first=John |last=Shammas |date=June 1, 2016 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |access-date=March 11, 2024 }}</ref> The boy's mother also became the target of [[online shaming]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=March 11, 2024 |date=June 1, 2016 |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2734588/harambes-death-is-the-parent-shaming-over-gorillas-death-going-overboard/ |title=Harambe's death: Is the parent-shaming over gorilla's death going overboard? |first=Carmen |last=Chai}}</ref> On June 6, 2016, Ohio prosecutor [[Joe Deters]] said that the mother would not face any charges of wrongdoing.<ref name="Park">{{cite web |access-date=March 11, 2024 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/06/us/harambe-gorilla-death-investigation/index.html |title=Gorilla killing: 3-year-old boy's mother won't be charged |first1=Madison |last1=Park |first2=Holly |last2=Yan |date=June 6, 2016 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> The zoo was investigated by the [[Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] (AZA), which sets the standards for zoos, and the [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]].<ref name="Goodall">{{cite web|first=Jane |last=Goodall|authorlink=Jane Goodall|date=June 19, 2016|title=Jane Goodall, Azzedine Downes together offer thoughts on tragic Harambe killing|url=http://www.ifaw.org/united-states/news/jane-goodall-azzedine-downes-together-offer-thoughts-tragic-harambe-killing|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323164256/https://www.ifaw.org/united-states/news/jane-goodall-azzedine-downes-together-offer-thoughts-tragic-harambe-killing|archive-date=March 23, 2019|access-date=June 20, 2016|work=[[International Fund for Animal Welfare]]}}</ref>

Several [[Vigil (liturgy)|vigils]] took place to honor Harambe's death. A candlelight vigil was held at [[Hyde Park, Cincinnati|Hyde Park]], Cincinnati.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/dicks-out-harambe-vigil-five-month/ |title=Wicks Out for Harambe: a Candlelit Vigil for the Internet's Favourite Gorilla |work=Vice |first=Sam |last=Sargeant |date=October 29, 2016 |access-date=June 2, 2020}}</ref> Animal rights activist Anthony Seta spoke at a vigil at Cincinnati Zoo, saying: "I'm not here to decide what was right and what was wrong; the fact is that a gorilla who just celebrated his birthday has been killed."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-gorilla-shot-cincinnati-zoo-20160530-snap-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=May 30, 2016 |access-date=June 6, 2017 |title=Vigil called at Cincinnati Zoo in tribute to slain gorilla}}</ref>

The shooting was criticized by celebrities, including [[Ricky Gervais]], [[Brian May]], and [[Piers Morgan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/31/ricky-gervais-joins-backlash-over-shooting-of-harambe-the-gorill/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/31/ricky-gervais-joins-backlash-over-shooting-of-harambe-the-gorill/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Celebrities joins backlash over shooting of Harambe the gorilla – but Ohio zoo defends decision |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Chris |last=Graham |date=May 31, 2016 |access-date=May 31, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Donald Trump]] defended the actions of the zoo during his [[Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign|2016 presidential campaign]], stating the zoo employees "probably had no choice",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j6eajHUqA8 |title=Donald Trump weighs in on killing of Harambe the gorilla |via=YouTube |work=New York Daily News |date=May 31, 2016 |access-date=December 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019142313/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j6eajHUqA8 |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> although he said "it was almost like a mother holding a baby".<ref name="McCabe"/>

The incident sparked debate among biologists and primatologists on whether gorillas and other primates should be held in captivity at all.<ref name="Angier"/> Primatologist [[Jane Goodall]] said that according to the video it seemed Harambe was trying to protect the child.<ref>{{cite web |last=Goodall |first=Jane |title=Memo RE: Shooting of Harambe at Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens |date=May 31, 2016 |url=https://www.janegoodall.org/wp-content/uploads/2796_001.pdf |publisher=janegoodall.org |access-date=June 16, 2016}}</ref> She gave a longer explanation in an interview with the president of the [[International Fund for Animal Welfare]], concluding that the zoo had no choice but to kill Harambe.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/jane-goodall-says-zoo-kill-123607251.html |title=Jane Goodall Says Zoo Was Right to Kill Harambe the Gorilla |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]] |first=Melissa |last=Chan |date=June 20, 2016 |access-date=June 20, 2016}}</ref> She wrote, "It was awful for the child, the parents, Harambe, the zoo, the keepers and the public. But when people come into contact with wild animals, life and death decisions sometimes have to be made."<ref name="Goodall"/> Goodall said "we will never be able to be 100% sure that people and wildlife won't be injured when they are in such close proximity", and she believed that zoos "with the highest standards of care" could play an important role in the animals' well being.<ref name="Goodall"/>

Zookeeper [[Jack Hanna]] strongly defended the zoo's actions, noting that a [[tranquilizer dart]] might have taken five or ten minutes to take effect and would have further aggravated Harambe.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/nation-now/2016/05/31/jack-hanna-zookeeper-knoxville-cincinnati-zoo-gorilla-killed/85181272/ |first=Chuck |last=Campbell |title=Jack Hanna defends Cincinnati Zoo's decision to kill gorilla |date=May 31, 2016 |work=[[Knoxville News Sentinel]] |via=USA Today |access-date=August 3, 2016}}</ref> Primatologist [[Frans de Waal]] said he saw few options for the zoo: "A gorilla is so immensely strong that even with the best of intentions—and we are not sure that Harambe had those—the child's death was a probable outcome."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/harambe-gorillas-behaviors-zoos-animals/ |title=Harambe's Behavior May Have Been Normal Gorilla Play |work=[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]] |first=Michael |last=Greshko |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601125150/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/harambe-gorillas-behaviors-zoos-animals/ |archive-date=June 1, 2016 |url-status=dead |date=May 31, 2016 |access-date=November 15, 2023}}</ref> [[Ian Redmond]] of the Ape Alliance said other options were not tried, such as showing force to bluster the gorilla to back down, or if someone known and trusted by Harambe had tried to calm him.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/31/gorillas-shooting-harambe-cincinnati-zoo |title=I've spent a lifetime with gorillas. Shooting them should be a last resort |work=[[The Guardian]] |first=Ian |last=Redmond |author-link=Ian Redmond |date=May 31, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2023}}</ref>

== Cultural impact <span class="anchor" id="Meme"></span><span class="anchor" id="Internet meme"></span><span class="anchor" id="Fall-out_and_Internet_memes"></span>==
=== Memes ===
Following the killing, Harambe became the subject of multiple viral [[Internet meme|memes]].<ref name="Ohlheiser">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2016/07/27/the-internet-wont-let-harambe-rest-in-peace/ |title=The Internet won't let Harambe rest in peace |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Abby |last=Ohlheiser |date=July 27, 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2016}}</ref> ''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]'' wrote in November that Harambe has an "undeniable status as 2016's meme of the year."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/11/9/13572332/harambe-write-in-votes-election |title=Those claims that Harambe won 20,000 votes are based on nothing |first=Aja |last=Romano |date=November 9, 2016 |work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |access-date=March 11, 2024 }}</ref> ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine wrote that "Harambe continues to live on in the collective mind of the internet, entering into a rarefied state of venerated meme status."<ref>{{cite news |last=Heigl |first=Alex |title=Harambe the Gorilla's Bizarre Eternal Life as an Internet Meme |url=https://people.com/celebrity/harambe-gorilla-continues-to-surface-online-as-a-meme/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=August 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323164301/https://people.com/celebrity/harambe-gorilla-continues-to-surface-online-as-a-meme/ |archive-date=March 23, 2019 }}</ref> One of the most widespread memes was noted by ''[[The Washington Post]]'' and ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine who observed a proliferation of over-the-top and fake tributes to Harambe. "The idea is, the more intense and more sincere-seeming the expression of mourning is, the funnier the joke."<ref name="Ohlheiser"/><ref name="Feldman"/> For example, the "Dicks out for Harambe" meme can be seen as a fake tribute to an incident that would normally engender sincere mourning.<ref>{{cite news |last=Siese |first=April |title='D**ks out for Harambe' is a movement Danny Trejo supports |url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/dicks-out-for-harambe/ |access-date=August 13, 2021 |publisher=The Daily Dot |date=July 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rense |first=Sarah |title=No, Really, Why Are We All Saying 'Dicks Out for Harambe'? |url=https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/sex/news/a47714/what-is-dicks-out-for-harambe/ |access-date=August 13, 2021 |publisher=Esquire |date=August 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a8354653/dicks-out-for-harambe-internets-most-fascinating/ |title='Dicks Out for Harambe': How 2 Average Guys Started the Year's Most Controversial Meme |work=[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]] |first=Carina |last=Hsieh |date=December 5, 2016 |access-date=August 13, 2021}}</ref> Aja Romano of ''Vox'' wrote that "If you were a progressive, the Harambe meme gave you a chance to mock what you viewed as the hypocritical haranguing of the mainstream while avoiding real issues of social justice; and if you were a conservative, the Harambe meme gave you a chance to mock liberal hysteria."<ref name="Feldman">{{cite web |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/07/harambe-forever.html |title=The Dark Internet Humor of Harambe Jokes |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |first=Brian |last=Feldman |date=July 27, 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Romano |first=Aja |title=The Harambe meme is still going strong. And it's about a lot more than a dead gorilla. |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/8/17/12457468/harambe-meme-social-commentary-explained |access-date=March 11, 2024 |work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |date=August 17, 2016}}</ref> One meme is a play on conspiracy theories, such as "[[George W. Bush|Bush]] did Harambe", a reference to [[World Trade Center controlled demolition conspiracy theories|9/11 conspiracy theories]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Reigstad |first=Leif |title=George W. Bush Didn't Kill Harambe, The Internet Is Just Weird |access-date=March 11, 2024 |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/george-w-bush-didnt-kill-harambe-internet-just-weird/ |work=[[Texas Monthly]] |date=August 17, 2016}}</ref> In Australia, people joked about supporting Harambe's corpse as a [[write-in candidate]] on the ballot for the [[2016 Australian federal election|federal election]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jul/02/vote-for-harambe-australian-election-gives-second-life-to-cincinatti-zoo-gorilla |title=Vote for Harambe: Australian election gives second life to Cincinnati zoo gorilla |work=[[The Guardian]] |first=Elle |last=Hunt |date=July 2, 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2016}}</ref> [[Public Policy Polling]] included Harambe in their polling for the [[2016 United States presidential election|U.S. presidential election]]. Harambe had 5% support in late July 2016 (ahead of Green Party nominee [[Jill Stein]]) and 2% in August 2016 (tied with Stein).<ref>{{cite news |last=Firozi |first=Paulina |title=Poll: Jill Stein tied with Harambe, trailing Deez Nutz in Texas |access-date=March 11, 2024 |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/291759-poll-jill-stein-tied-with-harambe-trailing-deez-nutz-in-texas/ |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=August 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Silverstein |first=Jason |title=Harambe the dead gorilla would fare well as independent presidential candidate, poll says |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2016/07/31/harambe-the-dead-gorilla-would-fare-well-as-independent-presidential-candidate-poll-says/ |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |access-date=March 11, 2024 |location=New York |date=July 31, 2016}}</ref>

Cincinnati Zoo director [[Thane Maynard]] reacted negatively: "We are not amused by the memes, petitions and signs about Harambe. Our zoo family is still healing, and the constant mention of Harambe makes moving forward more difficult for us. We are honoring Harambe by redoubling our gorilla conservation efforts and encouraging others to join us."<ref>{{cite news |last=Griffin |first=Andrew |title=Harambe: Stop making memes of our dead gorilla, Cincinnati Zoo pleads |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/harambe-memes-cincinnati-zoo-gorilla-shot-dead-rip-a7203356.html |access-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220509/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/harambe-memes-cincinnati-zoo-gorilla-shot-dead-rip-a7203356.html |archive-date=May 9, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=[[The Independent]] |date=August 22, 2016}}</ref> In late August, the zoo deleted its Twitter account after being targeted daily by [[Internet troll|trolls]] mentioning Harambe.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/22/zoo-not-amused-by-memes-of-dead-gorilla-harambe/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/22/zoo-not-amused-by-memes-of-dead-gorilla-harambe/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Cincinnati Zoo deletes Twitter account over abuse and memes of dead gorilla Harambe |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |first=Mark |last=Molloy |agency=Associated Press |date=August 23, 2016 |access-date=August 23, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The zoo resumed its account two months later.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/cincinnati-zoo-rejoins-twitter-following-harambe-controversy |title=Cincinnati Zoo rejoins Twitter following Harambe controversy |work=Fox News |agency=Associated Press |date=October 21, 2016 |access-date=October 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/premature-hippo-happy-hit-ohio-zoo-gorilla-death-46954326 |title=Premature hippo a happy hit for Ohio zoo after gorilla death |last=Sewell |first=Dan |date=April 22, 2017 |access-date=April 22, 2017 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref>

=== Comedic culture ===
As noted by Chris Rosales, "While the gorilla's death is tragic, the culture that has spawned around it is quite comedic."<ref name="Rosales" /> 

A self-described underground culture collective known as ''Otaku Gang'' released a computer parody [[fighting game]] known as ''Harambe vs. Capcom'', with Harambe being able to fight characters from [[Capcom]]'s ''[[Street Fighter]]'' franchise.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |title=Someone Put Harambe In Street Fighter, Because Why Not |url=https://kotaku.com/someone-put-harambe-in-street-fighter-because-why-not-1786739014 |website=[[Kotaku]] |date=September 16, 2016 |access-date=September 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Good |first=Owen |title=Dear God, someone has made Harambe vs. Capcom |url=https://www.polygon.com/pc/2016/9/17/12952688/harambe-vs-capcom-video-game-trailer |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=September 17, 2016 |access-date=September 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lemon |first=Marshall |title=Harambe Vs Capcom turns tragic story into a parody game |url=https://www.vg247.com/harambe-vs-capcom-turns-tragic-story-into-a-parody-game |website=VG247 |date=September 17, 2016 |access-date=September 17, 2016}}</ref>

American rappers [[Young Thug]] and [[Dumbfoundead]] each released songs entitled "Harambe". The former did so on his 2016 album [[Jeffery (mixtape)|''Jeffery'']], each track of which is named after one of his "idols", although the lyrics do not reference the gorilla;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/67805-young-thug-teases-new-project-jeffery-with-cover-art-tracklist/ |first=Matthew |last=Strauss |title=Young Thug's New No, My Name Is JEFFERY Mixtape Has Songs for Harambe and Rihanna, and an Incredible Cover: Listen |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork Media]] |date=August 26, 2016 |access-date=August 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/26/12657446/young-thug-harambe-song-no-my-name-is-jeffrey |title=Young Thug writes a song for Harambe, forgets Harambe |website=[[The Verge]] |first=Kaitlyn |last=Tiffany |date=August 26, 2016 |access-date=August 30, 2016}}</ref> the latter likens the fate of the ape to [[gangs in the United States|gang violence]] and [[police brutality]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/dumbfoundead-harambe-video-446414/ |title=Dumbfoundead Addresses These Turbulent Times In 'Harambe' |date=August 19, 2016 |access-date=September 11, 2016 |first=Mark |last=Braboy |work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]}}</ref> Canadian [[dubstep]] producer [[Excision (musician)|Excision]] included a song titled "Harambe" on his 2016 album ''Virus''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youredm.com/2016/10/25/excision-releases-third-studio-album-virus/ |title=Excision releases his third studio album 'Virus' |first=Matthew |last=Meadow |work=Your EDM |date=October 25, 2016 |access-date=November 1, 2016}}</ref>

On June 16, 2017, satire news site ''[[The Onion]]'' featured a parody article of professional wrestler [[Big Show]] being killed by [[WWE]] after a seven-year-old boy wandered into his [[Steel cage match|fight cage]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theonion.com/wwe-staff-forced-to-shoot-aggressive-wrestler-after-chi-1819580023 |title=WWE Staff Forced To Shoot Aggressive Wrestler After Child Climbs Into Steel Cage |date=June 16, 2017 |website=[[The Onion]] |access-date=July 13, 2017}}</ref> On March 30, 2019, [[Elon Musk]] released a two-minute rap song titled "RIP Harambe" onto his [[SoundCloud]].<ref name="Kreps">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/elon-musk-rap-song-rip-harambe-815813/|title=Hear Elon Musk's Surprise Rap Song 'RIP Harambe'|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=March 31, 2019|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref> The track was performed by [[Yung Jake]], written by him and [[Caroline Polachek]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Arcand |first=Rob |url=https://www.spin.com/2019/03/elon-musk-drops-rap-single-rip-harambe/ |title=Elon Musk Drops Surprise Rap Single 'RIP Harambe' |date=March 31, 2019 |magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |access-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fitzgerald |first=Trent |title=Elon Musk Randomly Shares Rap Song Dedicated to Harambe |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2019/03/elon-musk-rap-song-harambe/ |access-date=April 10, 2019 |magazine=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |date=March 31, 2019}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine called the track "a bouncy tribute to Harambe".<ref name="Kreps"/>

On October 18, 2021, the {{convert|7|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} bronze statue ''[[Harambe (statue)|Harambe]]'' was placed in [[Bowling Green (New York City)|Bowling Green Park]] in New York City, facing the ''[[Charging Bull]]'' statue, to promote Sapien Network. The statue of Harambe facing the bull, whose feet were surrounded by 10,000 bananas, was a statement about wealth disparity.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/7-foot-tall-harambe-statue-stares-down-wall-streets-charging-bull-which-is-now-covered-in-bananas/3330853/|title=7-Foot Harambe Statue Stares Down Wall Street's Charging Bull, Which Is Now Covered in Bananas|date=October 10, 2021|accessdate=October 10, 2021|first=Gabriella |last=Lozano|work=NBC New York}}</ref>

In October 2023, a new pedestrian bridge in [[Mauldin, South Carolina]], was listed as "Harambe Memorial Bridge" on [[Google Maps]] before the bridge had been officially named.<ref name="Rosales">{{Cite web |title=City Stuck With Harambe Memorial Bridge After Rogue Google Maps Edit |first=Chris |last=Rosales |date=October 14, 2023 |url=https://www.thedrive.com/news/city-stuck-with-harambe-memorial-bridge-after-rogue-google-maps-edit |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=The Drive |language=en}}</ref> The city was petitioned to keep the proposed name, but in February 2024 it was officially named the Mauldin Gateway Bridge.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxcarolina.com/2024/02/21/mauldin-city-council-votes-name-new-pedestrian-bridge/ |title=City officials vote on name for pedestrian bridge after going viral last year|last=Snipes |first=Anisa |date=February 21, 2024 |website=Fox Carolina |publisher=Gray Media Group, Inc |access-date=May 20, 2024 }}</ref>

==Later developments==
In September 2017, the zoo added Mshindi, a 29-year-old male western lowland gorilla transferred from the [[Louisville Zoo]]. He joined females Chewie, 21, and Mara, 22, who were present on the day of the killing. At the same time, the zoo created a new indoor habitat where the public can view the gorillas year-round from behind safety glass.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/cincinnati-zoo-introduces-first-gorilla-175400648.html |title=Cincinnati Zoo Introduces First Gorilla Since the Death of Harambe |work=[[Inside Edition]] |via=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=September 15, 2017 |access-date=September 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbFkfvIDu6c |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211218/hbFkfvIDu6c |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |url-status=live|title=New Indoor Gorilla Habitat Tour|publisher=The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden |date=November 20, 2017|via=YouTube|access-date=April 23, 2018}}{{cbignore}}<!--demonstrates public-safety indoor viewing glass--></ref>

On the 2023 World Gorilla Day (September 24),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gorillafund.org/get-involved/other-ways-to-help/world-gorilla-day/ |title=World Gorilla Day |work=Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund |access-date=March 20, 2024}}</ref> the feature-length documentary ''Harambe'' was released. The film is critical of Harambe's killing. It shows new photographs and video footage from the day, and claims new evidence that Harambe was trying to return the boy to his parents.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2023/09/18/new-harambe-documentary-premiering-this-month/70890256007/ |title=New 'Harambe' doc to have 'rare' photos, videos of Cincinnati gorilla |work=[[Cincinnati Enquirer]] |first=Victoria |last=Moorwood |date=September 18, 2023 |access-date=December 25, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://harambemovie.com/ |title=Harambe Movie Documentary Home Page |work=harambemovie.com |access-date=December 25, 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[100 men versus a gorilla]], a [[thought experiment]] that also became an [[Internet meme]]
* [[List of individual apes]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Notable apes|state=collapsed}}
{{Portal bar|Ohio|Primates|Internet|2010s}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harambe}}
[[Category:1999 animal births]]
[[Category:2016 animal deaths]]
[[Category:Animal deaths in the United States]]
[[Category:Animal killing]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in Ohio]]
[[Category:History of Cincinnati]]
[[Category:Individual gorillas]]
[[Category:Individual primates in the United States]]
[[Category:Internet memes about animals]]
[[Category:Internet memes introduced from the United States]]
[[Category:Internet memes introduced in 2016]]