What Happened to Harambe
On May 28, 2016, a 3-year-old boy climbed into the gorilla exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The zoo’s emergency response team made the decision to shoot and kill Harambe, a 17-year-old western lowland gorilla, to protect the child after an observer believed the gorilla was interacting with the boy in a dangerous manner. This article explains the sequence of events, the rationale used by the zoo and officials, and the context around animal care, zoo protocols, and public reaction.
Background on Harambe and the Gorilla Troop
Harambe's Life at the Cincinnati Zoo
Harambe was born at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, in 1999 and transferred to the Cincinnati Zoo in 2014 as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP). As a dominant adult male in a mixed-age troop, he participated in breeding recommendations and served as a potential future silverback. Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered in the wild due to habitat loss, disease, and poaching, making every individual important for conservation genetics.
The Day of the Incident
Timeline of Events on May 28, 2016
| Time (approximate) | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Around 2:00 PM | Child slips under barrier and falls ~15–18 feet into gorilla moat | Zoo visitor safety barrier was bypassed; child enters animal habitat |
| Immediate moments after fall | Harambe approaches and interacts with the child in the water | Behavior is interpreted by zoo staff as potentially dangerous |
| Within minutes | Zoo staff dispatch emergency response team; decision to use lethal force | Protocol for imminent danger to human life overrides tranquilizer option |
| Approx. 2:15–2:20 PM | Harambe is shot and killed by zoo staff | Child rescued and taken to hospital with noncritical injuries |
Zoo Protocols and Decision-Making
AZA-accredited zoos, including the Cincinnati Zoo, have detailed emergency action plans for animal exhibit incidents. These plans prioritize human life above all else and outline steps such as clearing the exhibit, using deterrents, and, in extreme cases, employing lethal force if an animal poses an immediate threat. Although staff often consider chemical immobilization (tranquilizers), factors like the speed of the situation, the animal’s behavior, and the child’s position can make firearms the fastest and safest option.
Why Tranquilizers Were Not Used
- Imminent risk to the child perceived by first responders
- Time required for dart effectiveness versus an immediate threat
- Unpredictability of the gorilla’s behavior once the child was in close proximity
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
The incident sparked global conversation about zoo safety, parental supervision, and the ethics of killing a rare endangered animal to save a child. Some argued that the zoo should be held accountable for barriers and oversight, while others emphasized that parents should watch children more closely. Animal rights organizations and many online commenters mourned Harambe’s death and questioned whether every alternative had been exhausted.
Investigations and Official Findings
The U.S. Department of Agriculture inspected the Cincinnati Zoo and cited them for a single, non-critical violation related to the zoo’s staffing plan during the incident. The local prosecutor reviewed the evidence and determined that no criminal charges were warranted, stating that the zoo acted reasonably under the circumstances. The family of the child filed a lawsuit that was later settled out of court.
Long-Term Impact on Zoo Practices and Gorilla Care
In the years following the incident, the Cincinnati Zoo reinforced its barriers, reviewed emergency training with staff, and publicly outlined its emergency decision frameworks. The broader zoo community tightened best-practice guidance on exhibit design and crisis response, emphasizing redundancy in childproofing and staff drills. Harambe’s death also intensified debates within conservation circles about the risks and rewards of keeping gorillas in zoos, with many institutions using such events to highlight the importance of species survival programs and in-situ conservation funding.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Incident | May 28, 2016 | Official zoo and news reports |
| Location | Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA | Public records and news coverage |
| Child’s Status | 3-year-old boy; suffered noncritical injuries | Hospital statements and court filings |
| Gorilla Involved | Harambe, a 17-year-old male western lowland gorilla | Cincinnati Zoo animal records |
| Outcome for Harambe | Shot and killed by zoo emergency response team | Investigation reports and zoo statement |
| Regulatory Action | USDA citation for one non-critical violation | USDA inspection report |
| Legal Resolution | Civil lawsuit settled out of court | Court records and settlement announcements |
Broader Context in Zoo and Gorilla Conservation
Western lowland gorillas face severe threats in the wild, with populations declining due to Ebola, deforestation, and illegal hunting. Accredited zoos participate in coordinated breeding programs designed to maintain genetic diversity and provide a potential insurance population. While incidents like Harambe’s death are rare, they underscore the complexity of balancing visitor safety, animal welfare, and conservation goals in modern zoological parks.
FAQ
Reader questions
Could the Gorilla Have Been Tranquilized Instead?
Zoo and law enforcement professionals generally agree that in cases where a child’s life is believed to be in immediate danger, the use of firearms is often the safest and fastest option. Factors such as the gorilla’s behavior, the child’s location, and the unpredictability of tranquilizer effects contributed to this decision.
What Changes Did the Cincinnati Zoo Implement Afterward?
The zoo conducted internal reviews, reinforced public barriers, enhanced staff training on emergency scenarios, and increased communication with guests about exhibit safety. Many of these steps aligned with updated AZA guidance on emergency response and child-access prevention.
How Did This Affect Gorilla Conservation Efforts?
While the incident drew criticism and led to debates about keeping gorillas in captivity, many conservation groups used the attention to discuss funding for field conservation, the importance of Species Survival Plans, and the role of zoos in education and species protection. For the foreseeable future, incidents involving captive animals and human safety will continue to be evaluated through a combination of protocol, investigation, and public discourse. Harambe’s case remains a frequently referenced example in conversations about zoo safety, animal welfare, and the difficult decisions facing wildlife professionals.