Who Was Harambe
Harambe was a 17-year-old western lowland gorilla born in 1999 at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas. He later moved to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, where he lived with other gorillas in a habitat designed to mimic his natural environment.
What Happened in 2016
On May 28, 2016, a young child fell into Harambe’s enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo. Zoo officials shot and killed Harambe to protect the child, a decision that was widely reported and debated. The incident was captured on video and shared globally within hours.
Why Harambe Became a Meme
In the days after the incident, the video spread rapidly on platforms such as Twitter and Reddit. Users created memes, jokes, and fictional narratives around Harambe, turning his name into a cultural reference. The phenomenon was amplified by news coverage and celebrity reactions, which helped keep the story in public attention.
How Harambe Is Remembered
Harambe became a symbol of viral internet culture, often referenced in discussions about online trends and collective memory. His story is also cited in conversations about zoo safety and animal welfare. For background on the species, see the National Geographic gorilla overview.
