John Sommers II/Getty ImagesListen up, Internet. The Cincinnati Zoo is not here for your beloved Harambe memes. In case you're not one of the many who still make Harambe jokes, he was the gorilla killed by a zoo worker after a child, unfortunately, fell into his living space. Boo.
Harambe, despite passing away months ago, has turned into a pop culture icon. He's still meme'd and talked about and even has his own following on Reddit. There have been a wide array of colorful reactions to the animals death, such as petitions seeking justice and, of course, those just trying to be funny. The Associated Press notes, "At first, the petitioners had good intentions," writes WCPO-TV web editor James Leggate. "But then the goofuses of the Internet hopped on the Harambe train for their jollies, and it has gotten out of control." Those dang goofuses always jumping on trains for their jollies, amiright?
It appears the zoo that took his life is not pleased by any of the chatter on social media, good or bad. Many memes are seemingly harmless like the ones below, but we're guessing the zoo might be offended by these because, technically speaking, it turns his death into a laughing matter.
— Harambe (@HarambeActivity) July 29, 2016
Apparently, they can't stand the site of all of these Harambe reminders either, as Thane Maynard, the director of the zoo said via email to the Associated Press, "We are not amused by the memes, petitions and signs about Harambe. Our zoo family is still healing, and the constant mention of Harambe makes moving forward more difficult for us. We are honoring Harambe by redoubling our gorilla conservation efforts and encouraging others to join us." We guess if they're talking about the fake petitions and rude memes, their reaction is fair enough. At the same time, this is the Internet, and everybody has their own special/strange way of dealing with pop culture tragedies. To each his own, right?
— Harambe (@HarambeActivity) July 25, 2016
Anna Faris and Chris Pratt want a zoo