June 5, 2016 --

Perhaps there was no alternative to killing Harambe when a three-year old boy got into his enclosure in the Cincinnati Zoo. Perhaps zoo officials could not take a chance that Harambe wanted to protect the boy, as some animal experts have suggested, and not harm to the boy. Still, if the Cincinnati Zoo act to make sure that no one else can ever get into the gorilla enclosure, wouldn’t that indicate that the incident leading to the shooting of Harambe did not have to happen? According to a report in the New York Post, May 31, zoo director Thane Maynard has noted that Harambe’s sperm is available for breeding purposes. Are we to think this was a factor in the decision to kill Harambe?

Perhaps the Cincinnati Zoo should just follow the approach taken by the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus with regard to its elephants and simply remove its gorillas to a sanctuary safe from unwanted public intrusion and more gorilla shootings. Noble and tragic Harambe, may your death not be in vain. Rest In Peace.