Harambe died too soon
A life was taken this past summer on May 28 at the Cincinnati Zoo. A young boy managed to crawl into the gorilla exhibit, resulting in the death of a silverback gorilla named Harambe.
The zoo’s decision to fatally shoot Harambe stirred quite the reaction from the public, and probably rightfully so. People either believed the zoo made the right call in firing shots at Harambe, but others had a different idea.
The zoo has been receiving quite the backlash on social media regarding their choice to not use tranquilizers in the situation. They claimed the tranquilizers could have potentially taken several minutes to become effective, which during the meantime may have irritated Harambe further.
That doesn’t seem like a valid enough reason to shoot him on the spot. Yes, it was a possibility. Could they have tried something before that? Probably.
The zoo should have a better system in place to prevent unnecessary deaths of animals like this, and also to prevent this type of situation from even arising. It’s pretty wild that a small child could just find a way to climb into Gorilla World. The Cincinnati Zoo must have some top-notch security on their exhibits.
Another fun fact for you – the zoo claims to play an important role in “breeding and conservation.” Conservation. Just let that sink in. If they were really about conservation, they most likely would try their best to not shoot gorillas (which are endangered) unless they absolutely had to. Just a thought.
The internet has recently made Harambe into a dank meme. Harambe is now everywhere. People have made quotes, petitions, you name it. No one is really sure why Harambe’s death has become such a popular joke, but everyone seems to like it (except for the few who think the memes are “racist and sexist” which is quite the stretch).
Harambe’s death could have been avoided, and the Cincinnati Zoo may never live this one down. We’ve suffered a tragic loss, and it is our responsibility to remember Harambe, just like he would want.
17rbasso@usd489.com
Eric Rorstrom • Aug 31, 2016 at 9:52 pm
A train is coming down some train tracks at a high speed toward a “y” section of track. Harambe is tied to the tracks, and with the current trajectory of the train heading for him. You are near a switch that changes which way the train will go. If you do nothing Harambe will die, but he will be remembered as the hero he obviously is. If switch the train to the other track, Harambe will live, but will be unknown to history. What do you do?
(credit: some internet meme)
Rachelle Lumpkins • Sep 9, 2016 at 10:35 am
Wow Eric! I couldn’t figure out where you were going at first, but wow, just wow!
Rachelle Lumpkins • Aug 31, 2016 at 5:47 am
I agree with your point, but to some level. The little boy fell into the enclosure. Gorillas are considered “gentle giants”, but they are still huge. The gorilla was 3 times a big as that little boy, or bigger. I believe he was just curious and didn’t want to harm the boy, but as the video shows, he is dragging around the little boy. But I’ve read articles, and this is one I find incredibly interesting. “I keep hearing on the news and on social media that the gorilla appeared to be trying to protect the boy from the yelling onlookers. I do not think this was the case. Harambe reaches for the boys’ hands and arms, but only to position the child better for his own displaying purposes. Males perform very elaborate displays when highly agitated, slamming and dragging things about, as Harambe did with the young child. Typically, male gorillas in captivity (and in the wild) will drag around large branches, barrels, and heavy-weighted balls to make as much noise as possible—not in an effort to hurt anyone or anything (usually), but just to intimidate. It is clear to me from Harambe’s body language that he was reacting to the screams from the gathering crowd and possibly from the child himself.” (source from http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2016/06/01/former_zookeeper_on_the_death_of_gorilla_at_cincinnati_zoo.html)
The reason they didn’t use a tranquilizer is because that can take up to 10 minutes to take full effect, and the pain from being shot by it could have spurred him into rage and could have killed the boy. To keep the boy safe, the zookeepers made a tough decision but decided to kill Harambe. Do I think this was uncalled for? In the situation, no.
What I think is unsafe is how the boy fell in. Habitats now want to give people a more natural-looking habitat for the animals, but by doing that, it makes it easier for small kids to fall in.
I’m not sure what to believe over the parents. Things happen, yes. And if you turn your back for even a second from a toddler, they can run off and get into all sorts of trouble. I have read several articles all stating that the parents did something different, but this is the one I believe the most: “The mother had three other kids with her and turned her back.” (source: http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/06/us/harambe-gorilla-death-investigation/)
Toddlers always seem to get into trouble. Could this have been avoided, possibly. But for now I’m siding with the zoo officials, saying in that situation they made the right decision, and with the petrified mother.
Sara Rohleder • Aug 26, 2016 at 1:44 pm
preach
Conner Staab • Aug 25, 2016 at 8:23 pm
I agree… Rip harambe
Landon Crispin • Aug 25, 2016 at 1:13 pm
“They claimed the tranquilizers could have potentially taken several minutes to become effective, which during the meantime may have irritated Harambe further. That doesn’t seem like a valid enough reason to shoot him on the spot.”
Why is this article all about the gorilla? Why doesn’t it concern the boy’s life? Whether it was the parent’s fault or not, should we have let the boy die to try to preserve an animal’s life? On my list, a fellow human is a top priority.
Here’s my bottom line. I’d rather a gorilla die quickly than a child die slowly and painfully. That should be an obvious decision.
Alex Feyerherm • Aug 26, 2016 at 12:05 pm
Lighten up, Francis.
Landon Crispin • Aug 26, 2016 at 8:50 pm
I don’t censor my opinions.
Alex Feyerherm • Aug 27, 2016 at 2:10 pm
Neat.
Please tell me you take Onion articles this seriously too.
Landon Crispin • Aug 29, 2016 at 1:09 pm
Very neat, indeed.