The zoo where a gorilla was shot dead after a 3-year old child entered its enclosure has closed both its Facebook and Twitter accounts after pleading with users to stop making memes about Harambe the gorilla.
Earlier this week, the Cincinnati Zoo told the Associated Press that employees of the zoo were “not amused by 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,” they stated.
The plea followed streams of jokes about the dead gorilla online, including an official White House petition to rename the Harvey Milk Naval Ship the “USS Harambe.”
"Bush did Harambe" sign pops up on national TV pic.twitter.com/QlqP0pdCKG
— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) July 21, 2016
The Cincinnati Zoo says your Harambe jokes are upsetting their staff so much they can barely shoot animals anymore.
— Benjamin Siemon (@BenjaminJS) August 23, 2016
The zoo consequently decided to delete both its Facebook and Twitter accounts in an attempt to accelerate the “healing process,” following Harambe’s death. However, whether this will slow the tide of jokes remains to be seen.
@CincinnatiZoo deleted their Twitter just like they deleted Harambe
— Josh Kimbrell (@Joshhpointto) August 23, 2016
You can follow Ben Kew on Facebook, on Twitter at @ben_kew, or email him at ben@yiannopoulos.net
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