When did Harambe die, how did the gorilla’s death become a meme and why was he shot?
The popular primate was killed by a zoo-keeper in May, 2016
THIS weekend marks the one year anniversary of Harambe the gorilla's death.
Since the popular primate was tragically shot, here's all you need to know about his premature passing...
Who is Harambe and when did he die?
Harambe was a gorilla that was kept in Cincinnati Zoo, Ohio, who hit the headlines after he was shot by a worker at the tourist attraction.
After a three-year-old boy climbed into the enclosure, a zoo employee took the decision to shoot the primate for the tot's safety.
Dramatic video footage showed Harambe picking up the lad and dragging him through water as witnesses — including the boy’s mum — screamed.
But it was claimed the gorilla, who turned 17 a few days before, was simply trying to protect him.
Animal lovers slammed zoo chiefs for their decision to kill Harambe — who had the child huddled between his legs when he was killed.
Why are there Harambe memes?
Although there was initially outrage over Harambe's death, social media users soon turned the gorilla into an internet star.
Some made death memes of the primate, while others cracked jokes about the unfortunate incident.
Many also posted OTT fake tribute messages in response to the Cincinnati Zoo shooting.
Bizarrely, some spectators have pledged their allegiance to Harambe in the most extreme way imaginable… by getting inkings commemorating their hero.
Remarkably, the dead ape even received 15,000 votes for President in the US elections.
Following the news that Donald Trump had beaten Hillary Clinton in the race for the White House, social media users began boasting that they spoiled their ballots with the late beast’s name.
When is the anniversary of Harambe's death?
Harambe was shot by the zoo worker on May 28, 2016.
An unofficial tribute event is being held by The Dank Memes Gang at Cincinnati Zoo on the anniversary of the primate's death.
reads: "We would like to invite you to join us in honoring the families affected by his death and commemorating the anniversary in your own communities."
More than seven thousand people have clicked attending on the event so far, with this figure expected to rise.
There are rumours that Cincinnati Zoo will be re-opening the gorilla enclosure in June, after months of safety checks and new landscaping.
