Credits: Social Media
Angry podcaster finds out about tragic Harambe gorilla for the first time�
Watch the moment a podcast guest found out about the tragic killing of Harambe the gorilla almost eight years after the heartbreaking incident.
Harambe’s death was a massive cultural moment in 2016. Even now, the highly controversial day still divides the American public. Some deem the response necessary, while others have accused officials of using excessive force. Full Harambe story at the bottom.
She was utterly taken back
Late last year, the SMOSH production company, originally started by influencer and YouTuber Anthony Padilla, posted a video that has since amassed nearly 1 million likes and millions of views.
In the clip, host Shayne Topp questioned how Amanda Lehan-Canto had never heard of the gorilla Harambe. Amanda was left shell-shocked after she was filled in on the eight-year-old news.
“Why would they shoot him? He probably didn’t want to do anything. He was probably talking to him,” she confessed. “Harambe deserved to live. Is there a protest that I can go to? How old is that kid now? I will f*****g find him.”
TikTok was shocked that Amanda had never heard of the ape, as one person said: “Just having a mental breakdown cuz I said Harambe was 6 years ago how does she not know, then realized it’s been 8.”
“She was going through it,” another person wrote, as someone else said, “Being from Massachusetts is NOT AN EXCUSE.”
What happened to Harambe?
If you’ve been living under a rock and you still don’t know who Harambe was, then buckle in for arguably the saddest story you’ll hear today.
At the Cincinnati Zoo on May 28, 2016, a three-year-old boy broke into the western lowland gorilla enclosure where he was greeted by a 440lb animal. In viral social media footage, the boy was seen being dragged around by the ape after the rest of the gorillas were shuttled inside.
“The child was being dragged around & His head was banging on concrete. This was not a gentle thing. The child was at risk,” Zoo director Thane Maynard said at the time.
Now here’s the controversial bit. After a terrifying ten minutes, zoo officials decided to kill Harambe to prevent further injury to the boy. Following the ape’s death, the child was transported to hospital with non-serious injuries.
The incident was a huge point of debate for experts as various prominent Primatologists exchanged theories on Harambe’s behavior. Though she eventually said the zoo did the right thing, legendary zoologist Jane Goodall said the ape was trying to protect the boy.
Other experts argued that the zoo should have explored other avenues of de-escalation before landing on fatal action.
Rest in peace Harambe.
