Harambe
Harambe, perhaps the world's most revered gorilla, was born at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. He was named through a contest after the song "Harambe (Working Together for Freedom)" by Rita Marley, widow of Bob Marley. Harambee is a Swahili term for communal labor.
In 2014, Harambe was transferred to Cincinnati Zoo to learn adult gorilla behavior and join a new social group. This took a shocking turn on 28th May 2016, when a small human child climbed into the moat of Gorilla World. 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 440 pound male silverback, Harambe, decided to come to the child's aid and climbed down into the moat to the child splashing in the water.
Over the next 10 minutes, Harambe became increasingly "agitated and disoriented" by the screams of onlookers. He dragged the child through the water, occasionally propping him up when he sat, or pushing him down when he stood. Harambe exhibited "strutting" behavior-walking around with legs and arms stiffly extended to appear bigger-a bluffing move. Harambe then carried the boy up a ladder out of the moat onto dry land. Afraid for the boy's life, zoo officials made the fateful decision to fire upon Harambe, doing so with a single rifle shot. And with that He was gone forever.
Shortly after, Harambe became immortalized on the internet after news of his death spread. A dramatic video by an anonymous bystander was uploaded to YouTube, where it went viral, sparking global publicity and controversy. Harambe's story has since been covered in several high-profile news stories. Every year, the anniversary of his death is marked globally with a minute's silence.
In 2014, Harambe was transferred to Cincinnati Zoo to learn adult gorilla behavior and join a new social group. This took a shocking turn on 28th May 2016, when a small human child climbed into the moat of Gorilla World. 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 440 pound male silverback, Harambe, decided to come to the child's aid and climbed down into the moat to the child splashing in the water.
Over the next 10 minutes, Harambe became increasingly "agitated and disoriented" by the screams of onlookers. He dragged the child through the water, occasionally propping him up when he sat, or pushing him down when he stood. Harambe exhibited "strutting" behavior-walking around with legs and arms stiffly extended to appear bigger-a bluffing move. Harambe then carried the boy up a ladder out of the moat onto dry land. Afraid for the boy's life, zoo officials made the fateful decision to fire upon Harambe, doing so with a single rifle shot. And with that He was gone forever.
Shortly after, Harambe became immortalized on the internet after news of his death spread. A dramatic video by an anonymous bystander was uploaded to YouTube, where it went viral, sparking global publicity and controversy. Harambe's story has since been covered in several high-profile news stories. Every year, the anniversary of his death is marked globally with a minute's silence.