Nearly a decade has passed, yet the story of Harambe — a 17-year-old silverback gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo — continues to spark conversations worldwide. The incident in 2016 not only captured global attention but also ignited deeper debates about animal welfare, zoo safety, and human responsibility.The Day That Changed Everything
On May 28, 2016, a young child managed to slip past barriers and fell into the gorilla enclosure. Harambe, weighing more than 400 pounds, approached the boy. Video footage shows moments of interaction, some appearing calm, others more concerning as the gorilla moved the child through shallow water.The zoo’s emergency team had to act within seconds. After assessing the risks, they made the decision to use lethal force to protect the child. Harambe’s death was immediate, and the boy was rescued unharmed.
