This gorilla was killed after a child fell into his enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo, but people are still wondering what happened between them during his last moments. Behavior experts are weighing in on the spotty video of Harambe.
On May 28, 2016, a three-year-old boy climbed over a barrier and fell into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo, coming face-to-face with a 450-pound silverback gorilla named Harambe. What followed stunned the world. In shaky, spotty video footage, Harambe is seen standing near the child, touching him, and at moments, dragging him through the water. Zoo officials, fearing for the child’s life, made the tragic decision to shoot and kill Harambe.
But years later, people still ask: Was Harambe trying to protect the child or was he a danger? Experts in primate behavior have analyzed the video frame by frame. Some believe Harambe showed signs of protective behavior, positioning himself between the child and the crowd, appearing curious rather than aggressive. Others point out that even a gentle gorilla has immense strength, and his quick movements—though possibly playful or defensive—could have unintentionally harmed the child.
Zookeepers explained that tranquilizers would have taken too long, and any sudden reaction from Harambe could have been fatal. The decision, made in seconds, sparked global debate about zoo safety, human responsibility, and animal rights. Harambe became a cultural symbol—both a tragedy and a reminder of the complex relationship between humans and wildlife.
To this day, people still wonder what Harambe’s true intentions were in those final moments—was he a threat, a guardian, or simply misunderstood?