This summer has been full of memorable memes, but one that has had significant staying power has been a picture of Harambe the 17-year-old gorilla that was killed after a 3-year-old boy climbed into his enclosure. The controversy around Harambe’s death sparked online outrage that reached absurd levels such as online petitions, maudlin music video tributes, and other parody song lyrics. Some may think of the memes as just fun and entertainment, but the Cincinnati Zoo staff does not think it is funny at all.
The Associated Press Reports, “We are not amused by the memes, petitions and signs about Harambe,” Cincinnati Zoo director, Thane Maynard stated via email. “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.”
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Omg pic.twitter.com/EXFCskEvzq
— Marin Cogan (@marincogan) July 21, 2016
Some of the online petitions looking to pay homage to the fallen gorilla have included changing the name of the NFL team the Cincinnati Bengals, adding his face to Mount Rushmore, putting him on the dollar bill, and adding Harambe to the next Pokémon game. Also, social media users have been flooding the zoo’s comment sections and have been replying to virtually every tweet by the Zoo with mentions of Harambe.
Life could be worse, you could be Cincinnati Zoo’s social media manager. pic.twitter.com/OxrBXaEtqz
— Wefail (@wefail) August 19, 2016
“Justice For Harambe” was the first online petition in the wake of Harambe’s death, in which people sought to hold the boy’s mother responsible for the gorilla’s death on May 28. The petition was eventually ruled out as there was no cause for charges.
Do you think the Cincinnati Zoo asking for people to allow the Zoo to move forward after Harambe’s death will only spark more online ridicule?
[H/T The Associated Press]
