The Tragedy Of Harambe | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

The Tragedy Of Harambe

Harambe, a western lowland gorilla, had to pay the price for human ignorance.

61
The Tragedy Of Harambe
Robert Streithorst

On Saturday, May 28, 2016, a tragedy struck. A three-year-old boy fell into the western lowland silverback gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo. But that was not the tragedy. The tragedy was that Harambe, a 17-year-old male gorilla, was killed because of this "accident." Because this is a controversial subject, I am going to start with somewhat of a disclaimer: A human life with always trump the life of an animal. I understand that, and I understand the zoo did what they felt was necessary under those circumstances.

The reason this event, and so many others like it, is such a tragedy is because humans are compelled to take animals out of their natural world, place them in captivity, and when they do something that any wild animal would do, they punish them. Western lowland gorillas are considered critically endangered. There are not many of these animals left. So the fact that one that was still alive was shot for not having done anything wrong breaks my heart.

I’ve read many different viewpoints on the situation, and many people defend the mother in this case. I am not one of those people. Besides having animals in captivity, which just invites these accidents to happen, I believe that the mother is completely at fault. For this three-year-old child to be unattended at a public zoo for even 30 seconds is unacceptable. If you are going to have a child and take them somewhere that could be potentially dangerous — and yes, a zoo is dangerous — then you better be responsible enough to handle your child. I think that dues need to be paid and responsibility needs to be accepted. I think that this family should be sued for damages that their negligence caused the zoo. Because at the end of the day, if this mother had been watching her child, then Harambe would still be alive.

Like I said in the beginning of the article, the zoo did what they had to do. And at the end of the day they have to live with that. Do I think that more options should have been explored? Absolutely. They said tranquilizers were too dangerous to use because they take too long to work, or Harambe could have become violent. But I think that they should have used a tranquilizer and had guns on standby in case things went wrong because either way, they would have killed him, but they could have at least given the tranquilizer a chance. If Harambe wanted to kill the boy, he would have the second he fell into his territory — and he didn’t.

This is just one of the many tragedies that have taken place where human world and animal world collide and don’t end very well. People love foreign things, people love entertainment and people love excitement. Wild animals provide all of those things for them. But as soon as the excitement isn’t the good kind of excitement, people are done with them. They refuse to take responsibility for bringing a wild animal into an environment that is completely un-natural to them and then they bring other people into that same environment. This is just a deadly combination and when the animals act out, humans take the easy way out and they kill them. They get rid of the problem and don’t think twice about what they did. It wasn’t the animal’s fault. You can’t blame them for doing what is natural to them. It is the people’s fault for putting them in that situation, but nobody will ever accept the blame or admit their wrongdoing. At the end of the day, I don’t think Harambe could have come out on top in this situation. If Harambe had been violent and killed the boy, I guarantee you he still would have been killed because that’s what people do. The sad truth is that ignorant people take innocent creatures, force them to do what is completely un-natural to them and turn them into the villain. Rest in peace, Harambe — you will never be the villain to me.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

196686
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18728
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460776
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28254
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments