In 2016, the world was shocked by the death of Harambe, a 17-year-old western lowland gorilla who was shot and killed by a Cincinnati Zoo employee after a child fell into his enclosure. The incident sparked a massive online reaction, with Harambe memes and tributes flooding social media platforms. Five years later, we take a look at the impact Harambe had on internet culture and how his legacy lives on.
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The Rise of Harambe Memes
Within hours of Harambe’s death, internet users began creating memes and jokes about the tragedy. From photoshopped images of Harambe as a saint to parody songs and videos, the Harambe meme quickly became a viral sensation. The meme was so ubiquitous that it was referenced during the 2016 US presidential election, with both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton making jokes about Harambe during campaign events.
The Harambe meme also sparked controversy, with some people arguing that it was disrespectful to the gorilla and his memory. Others defended the meme as a way to cope with the tragedy and raise awareness about animal conservation.
The Legacy of Harambe
Despite the controversy, the Harambe meme has endured over the years. In 2017, a petition to rename a park in Cincinnati after Harambe gained over 27,000 signatures. In 2018, a meme-inspired cryptocurrency called “HarambeCoin” was launched, although it quickly fizzled out.
But Harambe’s legacy goes beyond just memes and jokes. The incident sparked a wider conversation about animal welfare and the ethics of keeping animals in captivity. The Cincinnati Zoo faced backlash for its decision to kill Harambe instead of using non-lethal methods to rescue the child. The incident also led to increased scrutiny of zoos and their treatment of animals.
Responses from People Who Knew Harambe
While the internet may have turned Harambe into a meme, those who knew him in real life remember him as a beloved member of the Cincinnati Zoo community. In an interview with NPR, one of Harambe’s caretakers described him as “a gentle giant” who loved to play and interact with humans. The caretaker also spoke about the impact Harambe’s death had on the zoo staff and the wider community.
“It was incredibly emotional for all of us who had worked with Harambe,” the caretaker said. “We loved him and cared for him deeply, and it was devastating to lose him in such a tragic way.”
Lessons Learned from Harambe’s Death
The tragedy of Harambe’s death taught us many lessons about animal welfare and human responsibility. It highlighted the importance of non-lethal methods for rescuing animals in danger, as well as the need for stricter regulations and oversight for zoos and other facilities that keep animals in captivity.
It also showed us the power of the internet to shape public opinion and influence social change. The Harambe meme may have started as a way to cope with a tragedy, but it ultimately had a lasting impact on our collective consciousness and the way we think about animal welfare.
Conclusion
Five years after Harambe’s death, his legacy lives on in both memes and meaningful conversations about animal welfare. While the internet may have turned him into a joke, it’s important to remember the real gorilla behind the meme and the lessons we can learn from his tragic death.
Rest in peace, Harambe. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten.
