Police investigated possible criminal charges against the parents, while the parents defended the zoo's actions. Zoo director Thane Maynard stated, 'The child was being dragged around . Others called for the boy's parents or the zoo to be held accountable for the gorilla's death. Some observers said that it was unclear whether Harambe was likely to harm the child. The incident was recorded in a dramatic video by an anonymous bystander and uploaded to YouTube, where it went viral, sparking global publicity and controversy. Reactions Memorial for Harambe at the Cincinnati Zoo, June 12, 2016 The boy was given a trauma assessment and transported to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center his injuries were non-life-threatening. Harambe was killed one day after his 17th birthday. Cincinnati firefighters said the boy was between Harambe's legs when the shot was fired. Afraid for the boy's welfare, zoo officials made the decision to kill Harambe, doing so with a single rifle shot. Harambe then carried the boy up a ladder out of the moat onto dry land.

Harambe exhibited 'strutting' behavior-walking around with legs and arms stiffly extended to appear bigger-a bluffing move, though one with inherent danger should he throw or drag the boy around too roughly. He carried the child through the water, occasionally propping him up when he sat, or pushing him down when he stood. Over the next 10 minutes, Harambe became increasingly 'agitated and disoriented' by the screams of onlookers.

However, the third gorilla, the inquisitive 440-pound (200 kg) male silverback, Harambe, climbed down into the moat to investigate the child splashing in the water. Zoo officials immediately signaled for the three gorillas in the habitat to return inside, and two females did so. The boy then climbed a 3-foot-tall (0.9 m) fence, crawled through 4 feet (1.2 m) of bushes, and then fell 15 feet (4.6 m) into a moat of shallow water. Witnesses said they heard the child say he wanted to go into the gorilla enclosure. On May 28, 2016, a three-year-old boy visiting the Cincinnati Zoo fell into the moat at the Gorilla World habitat. On September 18, 2014, Harambe was transferred to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden to learn adult gorilla behavior and join a new social group. Harambee is a Swahili term for communal labor.

He came up with the name after listening to the 1988 song 'Harambe (Working Together for Freedom)' by Rita Marley, widow of Bob Marley. He was named by Dan Van Coppenolle, a local area counselor who won a naming contest sponsored by the zoo. Harambe was born at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, on May 27, 1999. Harambe became the subject of internet memes, songs, a video game, a statue, and other tributes and recognitions.

A number of primatologists and conservationists wrote later that the zoo had no other choice under the circumstances, and that it highlighted the danger of zoo animals near humans and the need for better standards of care. The incident was recorded on video and received broad international coverage and commentary, including controversy over the choice to use lethal force. Fearing for the boy's life, a zoo worker shot and killed Harambe. On May 28, 2016, a three-year-old boy visiting the zoo climbed under a fence into an outdoor gorilla enclosure where he was grabbed and dragged by Harambe. Harambe ( / h ə ˈ r ɑː m b eɪ/ hə- RAHM-bay – May 28, 2016) was a western lowland gorilla who lived at the Cincinnati Zoo. 'Harambe (Working Together for Freedom)', song by Rita Marley Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (2014–2016).

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