On May 27,1999, what would become a legend was born. Harambe the Gorilla. A hero for some, a martyr for many, a victim for all, and a meme for lots.
What many saw as a chance to make jokes, have a innocent laugh, and make fun of animal defensors, many saw an actual crime committed. The death of a Western Lowland Gorilla. Or Silver Back, however you may know him. Their habitat is limited to few National Parks in Africa.Poachers and a Civil War raging in Africa also limit the protection for the gorillas. Actually several petitions have been raised in order to ask for justice. One of the most popular is one named Justice for Harambe. Actually over half a million people have signed this petition asking for the kids parents to be responsible for the death of Harambe. This is what the petition states,
“This beautiful gorilla lost his life because the boy’s parents did not keep a closer watch on the child. We the undersigned believe that the child would not have been able to enter the enclosure under proper parental supervision. Witnesses claim that they heard the child state that he wished to go into the enclosure and was actively trying to breach the barriers. This should have prompted the parents to immediately remove the child from the vicinity.” If you are interested in placing your own vote the website is...https://www.change.org/p/cincinnati-zoo-justice-for-harambe .
Many others Faculties and organizations have also expressed their opposition towards the shot that killed Harambe. Such as the UK’s Chairman of the Gorilla Organization. He states, ”Was a lethal shot the only option? No, I don’t think so. Were other options tried? You could have offered the gorilla more fruit than he could ever normally imagine in one sitting and then the boy would have become less interesting to him. It seemed like no one was prepared to go into the enclosure.”
Harambe
This is what the Cincinnati zoo director Thayne Maynard had to say, “We did not take the shooting of Harambe lightly, but that child’s life was in danger. And people who question that, or are Monday morning quarter backs, or second guessers ,don’t understand that you can’t take a chance with a silver back gorilla. They’re three times bigger than a man, six times stronger. It’s a dangerous animal…We’re talking about an animal that I’ve seen with one hand, take a coconut and crush it.”
Also there are many other people such as Marc Bekoff an Animal Ethologist states, “In all, Harambe freedoms were taken from him the moment he was born into captivity and his protection taken from him when his space was violated by human activities. While it’s most likely that Harambe and other animals kept in cages in zoos would prefer to be free, it’s also likely that he viewed his cage as his home and felt safe in familiar environs. Let’s remember in head and heart that Harambe was killed for being forced to live in a cage for the benefit of others, not his own.”
In other news, the family of the little boy who fell into the gorilla is grateful for having his kid safe and sound. "We continue to praise God for His grace and mercy, and to be thankful to the Cincinnati Zoo for their actions taken to protect our child," the family said in the statement. "We are also very appreciative for the expressions of concern and support that have been sent to us. Some have offered money to the family, which we do not want and will not accept. "If anyone wishes to make a gift, we recommend a donation to the Cincinnati Zoo in Harambe name.” The family is thankful. As they should be. And hopefully they will never forget the memory of harambe or anything that occurred that day.
And how did he become one of the most popular jokes of all time? Well he was the perfect meme as many say. Nobody is hurt because of the joke, therefore it is popular. No one suffers or is badly harmed by it, therefore it has become the perfect joke.