THE TRAGIC DEATH OF HARAMBE - NOT A CAUSE TO LYNCH THE BOY'S PARENTS
The tragic death of the gorilla, Harambe, who was shot and killed by Cincinnati Zoo's staff, is one of those extremely poignant events which one tends to replay endlessly in ones mind, hoping for a different outcome. Sadly, however, we are not able to roll-back time and undo what has already been done or do what should have been done.
Tragic as it is, Harambe has been called upon to make the ultimate enforced sacrifice, because the Zoo's staff, understandably, could not have known whether he would or would not have killed or seriously injured the innocent 4 year old boy whose misfortune it was to have fallen into the the Gorilla's enclosure. Harambe was seen having the boy in front of him, apparently not harming him. However, he was also seen dragging the boy in what us humans would call reckless fashion, through the water. He was also seen shoving the lad. Nobody can confidently say Harambe would have killed the lad or not killed him; considering he is an animal with whom nobody was able to communicate effectively, to the point of saying, 'Harambe, let the child go and move away from him!'
And so it was that the fateful decision was taken to terminate the life of this magnificent and somewhat endangered animal. Yes, it was profoundly heart breaking, but, the alternative was to continue to wait and see what Harambe would do while the staff waited.
Had the staff waited or hesitated further, it might have been the case that Harambe might have become less agitated and even bored and then walked away from the child of his own accord. And then again, it might have been the case that he might have renewed his attack on the child and even killed him ;something which an animal of Harambe's size would not have had an difficulty in doing, and might even have done so without intending it.
Were the latter outcome to have materialized, many people would have blamed the Zoo staff for not acting in time to protect the vulnerable child. Others would have considered the life of the child as a tragic but acceptable price to pay for keeping Harambe alive, even though they might have preferred the former outcome, had it been their life in jeopardy.
With the life of Harambe having been sacrificed for that of this innocent 4 year old, thousands of people are up in arms for revenge. They are howling for the prosecution of the child's parents. Well, guest what; accidents do happen, and there is nothing to say this child's parents are not caring and loving parents who, for whatever reason, were unable to prevent him from falling into the gorilla's enclosure. They might have tripped up on this one occasion, and, terrible as the consequences have been, they should not be defined, demonised and condemned on the basis of this tragedy.
They have suffered enough and should not be prosecuted. Harambe has had to be killed due to very poignant circumstances, and his untimely and even cruel but probably necessary death, should not be besmirched by pointless lust for revenge.
Tragic as it is, Harambe has been called upon to make the ultimate enforced sacrifice, because the Zoo's staff, understandably, could not have known whether he would or would not have killed or seriously injured the innocent 4 year old boy whose misfortune it was to have fallen into the the Gorilla's enclosure. Harambe was seen having the boy in front of him, apparently not harming him. However, he was also seen dragging the boy in what us humans would call reckless fashion, through the water. He was also seen shoving the lad. Nobody can confidently say Harambe would have killed the lad or not killed him; considering he is an animal with whom nobody was able to communicate effectively, to the point of saying, 'Harambe, let the child go and move away from him!'
And so it was that the fateful decision was taken to terminate the life of this magnificent and somewhat endangered animal. Yes, it was profoundly heart breaking, but, the alternative was to continue to wait and see what Harambe would do while the staff waited.
Had the staff waited or hesitated further, it might have been the case that Harambe might have become less agitated and even bored and then walked away from the child of his own accord. And then again, it might have been the case that he might have renewed his attack on the child and even killed him ;something which an animal of Harambe's size would not have had an difficulty in doing, and might even have done so without intending it.
Were the latter outcome to have materialized, many people would have blamed the Zoo staff for not acting in time to protect the vulnerable child. Others would have considered the life of the child as a tragic but acceptable price to pay for keeping Harambe alive, even though they might have preferred the former outcome, had it been their life in jeopardy.
With the life of Harambe having been sacrificed for that of this innocent 4 year old, thousands of people are up in arms for revenge. They are howling for the prosecution of the child's parents. Well, guest what; accidents do happen, and there is nothing to say this child's parents are not caring and loving parents who, for whatever reason, were unable to prevent him from falling into the gorilla's enclosure. They might have tripped up on this one occasion, and, terrible as the consequences have been, they should not be defined, demonised and condemned on the basis of this tragedy.
They have suffered enough and should not be prosecuted. Harambe has had to be killed due to very poignant circumstances, and his untimely and even cruel but probably necessary death, should not be besmirched by pointless lust for revenge.
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