The Gorilla Whose Death Became Internet Absurdism

On May 28, 2016, Cincinnati Zoo shot and killed Harambe, a 17-year-old western lowland gorilla, after a 3-year-old boy fell into his enclosure. The incident sparked genuine debates about zoo safety and parental responsibility—before the internet transformed Harambe into 2016’s most surreal meme, blaming everything from election outcomes to global events on his death.

The Incident

On May 28, 2016, a child climbed through barriers at Cincinnati Zoo and fell 15 feet into Harambe’s enclosure. Harambe grabbed and dragged the child, prompting zoo officials to shoot the gorilla (tranquilizers deemed too slow). The child survived with minor injuries.

Immediate reaction focused on parental negligence vs. zoo safety. Animal rights activists mourned Harambe’s unnecessary death. But within 48 hours, the discourse shifted from serious to absurd.

Meme Evolution: From Tribute to Absurdism (June-November 2016)

Phase 1 (May-June): Genuine memorials, “Justice for Harambe” petitions, criticism of parents
Phase 2 (July-August): “Dicks Out for Harambe” slogan (coined by comedian Brandon Wardell), ironic tributes
Phase 3 (September-November): Total absurdism—Harambe as write-in presidential candidate, Harambe “caused” Brexit, Harambe conspiracy theories

The meme’s absurdity was intentional—mocking internet memorial culture, performative grief, and 2016’s chaotic news cycle. Harambe became shorthand for “things we collectively decided to care about for no reason.”

Cultural Impact & Controversy

Cincinnati Zoo called the memes “not funny” and eventually deleted their Twitter account due to harassment. Gorilla conservationists worried the jokes trivialized endangered species protection.

But the meme persisted, peaking during the 2016 election—11,000 people wrote in “Harambe” for president. Joke or not, it represented voter disillusionment, the absurdity of 2016, and internet culture’s ability to transform tragedy into incomprehensible humor.

By early 2017, Harambe faded, but “dicks out for Harambe” remained slang for absurd solidarity. The meme demonstrated how internet irony could co-opt serious events until meaning dissolved entirely.

Sources:

• The Atlantic: “The Harambe Meme Is Still Evolving” (2016)
• Washington Post: “Harambe’s death is now a meme. That’s just wrong.” (2016)
• Know Your Meme: Harambe comprehensive documentation