ShortHand: Harambe

Summary

RedHanded – ShortHand: Harambe (May 26, 2026)

Hosts: Hannah & Sam
Episode Theme: The Death and Legacy of Harambe

---

Overview of the Episode

In this ShortHand episode, the hosts revisit the infamous 2016 killing of Harambe, the western lowland gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo, unraveling how a moment of tragedy exploded into a global media phenomenon, inspired a torrent of internet memes, and sparked intense debates around zoo ethics, parental responsibility, and gorilla conservation. Marking the tenth anniversary of Harambe's death, Hannah and Sam dissect the real sequence of events, bust myths, explore expert opinions, and reflect on the cultural aftershocks that still resonate today.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Why Harambe Became a Global Icon

• 2016 in Retrospect: The hosts remind listeners that 2016 was notable for celebrity deaths—Bowie, Prince, Fisher, Michael, Rickman, Ali, Harper Lee, Wogan—but Harambe captured the world's attention like few others, becoming “one of the most famous animals on the planet” ([03:35]).
• Memeification: Harambe's image and name were memed over 25 billion times, a testament to his status as a unique one-name internet celebrity ([04:29], [28:27]).

2. Harambe's Origins and Early Life

• Birth and Family Tragedy: Born at the Gladys Porter Zoo, Harambe was an “oops baby” — a result of his mum Kayla becoming pregnant before officially entering a breeding program ([05:34]).
  • Female gorillas are given contraceptive pills, raising ethical debates on breeding management ([05:34]-[05:44]).
  • In 2002, Kayla, Harambe’s half-sister, and baby brother died in a chlorine gas accident — Harambe survived, marking an early brush with tragedy ([07:40]).
• Transfer to Cincinnati: At age 15, Harambe was sent to Cincinnati Zoo to learn adult gorilla behavior, living there less than two years before his death ([08:06]).

3. The Incident: 28 May 2016

• What Actually Happened ([09:15]):
  • A 3-year-old boy bypassed a low barrier and fell into the gorilla enclosure’s moat. Harambe approached the boy after the two female gorillas retreated.
  • Harambe inspected the child gently but became agitated by the crowd's screams, leading him to drag the boy by the leg repeatedly – a terrifying sight for onlookers.
  • Crucially, Harambe did not harm the child intentionally and also displayed protective behaviors: “at several points, gently lifted the boy up onto his feet... stood over the boy, carefully holding his hand and watching out for danger.” ([14:52])
  • Harambe took the boy to the door of the enclosure, seemingly waiting for keepers.
  • Zoo staff shot Harambe to save the child; the boy escaped with minor injuries ([15:48]).

Notable quote:
“If he wanted to [hurt the boy], the boy would have already been dead. Harambe was 200 kilos...stronger than any human who has ever lived.”
— Hannah ([16:31])

• Why Not Tranquilizers?
  Tranquilizer darts would “take minutes to fully sedate... Being hit by a dart would have almost certainly caused him to panic and therefore risk the life of the boy.” ([16:52])

4. Expert Opinions

• Jane Goodall and Other Primatologists: Universally agreed Harambe “was not trying to hurt the boy,” but given the circumstances, lethal force was the only safe option ([15:48], [16:31]).

5. Public Backlash and Fallout

• Outrage and Blame:
  • Vigils and protests erupted outside the zoo.
  • The child's mother faced massive online vitriol, leading the family to relocate after a petition called for an investigation into their home life ([19:02]).
  • The zoo, especially Director Thane Maynard, was widely criticized for the tone of communications and inadequate safety measures ([19:38]).
    • Maynard’s infamous defense: “Just like you lock your car and people can still get into your car, people can get through barriers.” — Sam mocking: “It’s a zoo. Make it child safe… It’s for children.” ([20:27])
• Institutional Changes:
  • No prosecutions, but the zoo was forced to upgrade its barriers: “the smallest child isn't getting through there.” ([27:07]).

6. Harambe in Meme Culture

• “A heartfelt outpouring of grief was quickly replaced with irony” — Hannah ([27:40]).
• Memes like ‘RIP Harambe’ and “dicks out for Harambe” proliferated, as well as absurdist memes crossing Harambe with conspiracy theories ([27:40]).

7. Lasting Impact and Legacy

• Cultural Icon & Charity: Harambe’s image was minted as an NFT, selling for $5 million, with spin-off donations supporting gorilla conservation ([28:37]).
  • Initiatives, including during the COVID GameStop saga, funneled real aid to gorilla charities (“hundreds of thousands of dollars”), arguably improving the plight of lowland gorillas.
  • Possibly aided their removal from the endangered list.
• Emotional Aftermath: The hosts reflect on why primates, especially gorillas and orangutans, evoke such strong empathy ([29:47]-[31:05]).
• Ethical Reflection: Both hosts agree that, tragic as it was, the zoo's decision was likely the only realistic choice.

Notable quote:
“Ultimately I think it probably was a very difficult decision for the person who did the shooting. But I think as sad as it makes me, it probably was the right decision.”
— Hannah ([31:05])

---

Notable Quotes and Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Highlight | |-----------|---------|----------------| | 03:35 | Hannah | “The fallout, public backlash and eventual memeification of Harambe has made him one of the most famous animals on the planet. Like Adele, Elvis and Beyonce. He's a celebrity that only needs a first name.” | | 05:44 | Hannah | “If they're critically endangered, why are we doing that? It's like the opposite of what you have to do with pandas. We have to literally hold them together to make them fuck with their Little button penises. Why are we not letting them just breed? I don't get it.” | | 08:06 | Hannah | (On the chlorine gas accident) “They're fucking critically endangered. What are you doing?... Oh, I'm gonna cry. This is too much now.” | | 14:52 | Hannah | “...Harambe violently dragged the boy around the moat, clearly trying to find a quieter and less intense spot... But he also, at several points, gently lifted the boy up onto his feet... carefully holding his hand and watching out for danger.” | | 16:31 | Hannah | “The reason we can be so sure that Harambe didn't want to hurt the boy is because if he wanted to, the boy would have already been dead... Harambe was 200 kilos... stronger than any human who has ever lived.” | | 19:57 | Sam | “He told the public that people criticising the decision to shoot Harambe don't understand primate biology and the danger that the child was in, which might be true, but it certainly came across as patronizing and heartless.” | | 20:27 | Sam | (On the zoo director’s comment) “It's a zoo. Make it child safe.” | | 27:40 | Hannah | “...what started off as a heartfelt outpouring of grief was quickly replaced with irony... Even ‘dicks out for Harambe’...” | | 28:27 | Sam | “As of 2023, it is estimated the iconic image of Harambe ... has been shared over 25 billion times.” | | 28:39 | Sam | “The image was sold as an NFT, remember them? ... He sold it for $5 million. That is a true friend.” | | 31:05 | Hannah | “...ultimately I think it probably was a very difficult decision for the person who did the shooting. But I think as sad as it makes me, it probably was the right decision.” |

---

Timeline of Important Segments

• 01:51 | Episode start, 2016 context and celebrity deaths (skip intro)
• 03:07 | Harambe introduction
• 05:34 | Harambe's origins and the ethics of gorilla birth control
• 07:40 | Chlorine gas tragedy and Harambe's early trauma
• 08:06 | Move to Cincinnati Zoo
• 09:15 | The day of the incident: boy's fall and Harambe's actions
• 14:52 | Detailed breakdown of Harambe's interaction with the child
• 15:48 | Insights from Jane Goodall and experts; justification for lethal force
• 16:31 | Why tranquilizers wouldn't have worked
• 17:38 | Media backlash and public reaction
• 19:38 | Critique of the zoo's response and public statements
• 27:07 | Aftermath: legal consequences and changes to the enclosure
• 27:40 | The meme explosion
• 28:37 | Harambe's NFT and legacy in charitable donations
• 29:47 | Reflections on why great apes affect people so much emotionally
• 31:05 | Final thoughts on the morality of the decision

---

Closing Thoughts

“Poor Harambe.” Both hosts are openly moved, with Hannah even admitting to tears. They reflect on the profound resonance primates hold for humans and how Harambe's death, though tragic, may have ultimately spurred positive change for gorilla conservation.

This episode blends dark humor, thoughtful critique, and genuine emotion, delivering a nuanced look at a viral tragedy that has become part of internet folklore and wildlife ethics debates.

---

[Summary excludes all ad breaks and sponsor messages.]

Transcript

[Hannah]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? Progressive makes it easy. Just drop in some details about yourself to see if you're eligible to save money when you bundle your home and auto policies. The process only takes minutes and could mean hundreds more in your pocket. Visit progressive.com after this episode to see if you could save Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states.

[Sponsor Voice 1]

This episode is brought to you by IQ Bar. Pretty much everyone I know struggles with their energy levels these days, but if you often find yourself flagging, the solution might be easier than you think. IQ Bar Protein bars, IQ Mix Hydration Mixes and IQ Joe Mushroom Coffees are the delicious low sugar brain and body fuel that you need to win your day. We got the Ultimate Sampler Pack and let me tell you, it disappeared in days. Especially the IQmix zero sugar drink mix Sachets. They hydrate you with electrolytes, improve your mood and boast your mental clarity. All IQ Bar products are packed with clean, delicious ingredients that keep you physically and mentally fit, like magnesium, lion's mane, and more. And right now, IQ Bar is offering our special podcast listeners 20% off all IQ Bar products, including the Ultimate Sampler Pack, plus free shipping. To get your 20% off, text RED HANDED to 64,000. Text RED HANDED to 64,001. That's red handed to 64,000. Message and data rates may apply. See terms for details.

[Sam]

Hello, hello and welcome to Shorthand. Aren't you lucky you are. Here we are and there you are, listening wherever you are. We're going to, like everybody else's, recently drag you back to 2016. Yeah, she wouldn't have to drag me back to 2016, actually. No, yeah, you would. I was a fucking receptionist.

[Hannah]

Do I have to go back to 2016 knowing everything I know now?

[Sam]

No, you always ask that.

[Hannah]

Or am I?

[Sam]

You're not allowed to take the knowledge.

[Hannah]

I'm just back in 2016.

[Sam]

You just have to do it again. Nah, fuck that.

[Hannah]

Onwards and upwards.

[Sam]

It was a rough year in a lot of ways, particularly for celebrity deaths. Over the course of those 12 months, we lost such legends as David Bowie, Prince, Carrie Fisher, George Michael, Alan Rickman, Muhammad Ali, Harper Lee and Sir Terry Wogan. Big hitters. But the death that occupied the world's media attention, perhaps more than any of those, was no film star. He was no musician. Not even a sportsman or a writer. He'd never even been invited to the Met Gala.

[Hannah]

Ugh. What A loser.

[Sam]

In fact, before his passing on 28 May 2016, only a handful of people knew his name. He was 17 year old Western lowland gorilla called Harambe. And on that day in his enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo and Biological Gardens, he was shot by a keeper after a three year old boy fell through the guardrail. The incident caused outrage across the world.

[Hannah]

In the aftermath, questions came thick and fast. How did the boy get into the enclosure in the first place? Was it the zoo's fault or the boy's mother's fault? Did Harambe really need to die? Was he trying to rescue the boy or was the child actually in serious danger? The fallout, public backlash and eventual memeification of Harambe has made him one of the most famous animals on the planet. Like Adele, Elvis and Beyonce. He's a celebrity that only needs a first name.

[Sam]

Also it doesn't need to be followed by like the qualitor of what he is like, you know, like Coco the gorilla.

[Hannah]

Like he's just, he just is just Harambe. Is this like the anniversary? Yes, it's a 10 years, 10 year anniversary. Of course it is, it's 2016.

[Sam]

Keep up.

[Hannah]

I can't, I refuse.

[Sam]

This was actually raised in a content planning meeting last year and I was like no, no, let's wait for 10.

[Hannah]

Absolutely. It was the right thing to do. Harambe, he's an icon of a brain rot addicted, meme soaked generation whose image has been circulated online over 25 billion with a B times.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

So what's going on?

[Hannah]

What really happened on the day that Harambe lost his life? Was he a kind hearted gentle giant or a vicious primate menace? Did he really die for our sins? This is the shorthand.

[Sam]

Harambe was born in captivity at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. He was a western lowland gorilla, one of four subspecies of gorillas that exist today, all of which are endangered or critically endangered. There are roughly 150,000 western lowland gorillas living in the wild and around 750 in captivity. Given their critically endangered status, you might imagine that Harambe was part of a carefully planned breeding program hoping to introduce him back into the wild. But you are wrong. Harambe was a bit of an oops baby actually.

[Hannah]

Interestingly, according to the National Library of Medicine, female gorillas are given the combined contraceptive pill just like humans.

[Sam]

Jesus Christ.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

Why?

[Hannah]

If they're critically endangered, why are we doing that? It's like the opposite of what you have to do with pandas. We have to literally hold them together to make them fuck with their Little button penises. Why are we not letting them just breed? I don't get it.

[Sam]

Oh, man.

[Hannah]

I don't know. But anyway, the zoo in Brownsville was hoping to breed from Harambe's mother, Kayla, eventually. But she was a bit on the young side when she got pregnant and hadn't even started her birth control yet. Despite the surprise pregnancy, the zoo had big plans. Out of the gate. Harambe was going to be part of what they called a survival program.

[Sam]

Well, I should hope so. Critically endangered species.

[Hannah]

No, no. Now, they weren't actually fussed about reintroducing these babies, Oopsie. Or otherwise, into the wild. The programme was in fact entirely focused on keeping their pockets lined and other zoos stocked with attractions. And like a happy story from 24 hours in a and E, Kayla, the underage mum, pulled through and gave birth to little Harambe, who immediately became the star of the zoo.

[Sam]

Harambe was named as a part of a TV competition run by the zoo to drum up visitors for their new baby boy.

[Hannah]

And they came up with Harambe. Okay.

[Sam]

A local councillor called Dan Van Koppenol won the competition.

[Hannah]

She shouldn't be allowed to name anything. No, Dan Van.

[Sam]

Okay. He chose the name because of a 1988 song called Harambe by Rita Marley. The song is also known as Working Together for Freedom and Harambe is Swahili for communal labour.

[Hannah]

Magical.

[Sam]

According to the keepers and the photographers who knew Harambe, he was always charismatic. He loved to charm zoogoers by playing out in the open with his cousins and he was a bit of a poser.

[Hannah]

Sadly, however, it wasn't all good vibes for Harambe and his life was tainted by tragedy early on. On 6th January 2002, Harambe's mum, Kayla, half sister Azuri and 11 month old brother were all killed in a horrific accident at the zoo. A tank of chlorine was left next to a space heater. The chlorine heated up and chlorine gas was released into the gorilla enclosure.

[Sam]

Oh my God.

[Hannah]

They're fucking critically endangered. What are you doing? The three gorillas who were trapped in their overnight cages all suffocated to death. Harambe was also in the vicinity of the gas, but amazingly was able to survive despite being just three years old. Oh, I'm gonna cry. This is too much now. Even though there was obvious malpractice, the Gladys Porter Zoo only paid a small fine and Harambe stayed. And for the next decade, he was a fixture of their gorilla enclosure. As he grew into a healthy young silverback, the Stoic, gentle giant stayed a fan favourite. And even before the events that led to his death, his picture had been taken and shared countless times. But eventually the Gladys Porter Zoo decided that it was time for him to learn adult gorilla behaviour and join a new social group. So in September 2014, a 15 year old Harambe was traded to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. He lived at the zoo for less than two years before he would be tragically shot and killed in front of a group of screaming onlookers.

[Sam]

On Saturday 28 May 2016, just one day after his 17th birthday, Harambe and the tourists watching him heard a splash. Everyone looked down into the 15 foot chasm that separated the gorillas from the public which contained a small water filled moat. At the bottom. On the public side there was a three foot railing and about four feet of bushes between them and this gap on the gorilla's side. There was nothing. At the bottom of the chasm was a three year old boy. He had climbed through the railings and run through the bushes. Not seeing the drop, he had fallen down into the shallow water below.

[Hannah]

Seeing the commotion unfolding, the keeper signalled for Harambe and the two female gorillas he shared his enclosure with to come inside. The two females returned inside, but Harambe paused and then walked over to the moat that the boy had fallen into. Then he began climbing down to the child and we're sure you've all seen the video, but for those of you who haven't or need a little reminder, we're going to describe what happened next. After lowering himself down into the moat, Harambe made his way over to the little boy who had made his way into the corner and was clearly upset and in pain. At first, Harambe appeared to inspect the child inquisitively and remarkably gently. But as the screaming got louder from the growing crowd, Harambe became agitated and probably protective.

[Sam]

It's important to point out that while gorillas are remarkably similar to humans in a lot of ways, they are a lot more durable than we are and that includes baby gorillas. A quick Google search will bring up videos that show a gorillas are very protective of their young and B they fling their kids around like rag dolls. If a male or female gorilla feels like their kid is in danger, they will not hesitate to grab that kid by the arm or leg and sprint to safety violently dragging their kid behind them. If their kid is being annoying, they also don't hesitate to smack them round the back of the head hard. Harambe did not hit the boy who had fallen into the enclosure, but he did panic and drag him from one end of the moat to the other by his leg in a way that must have been absolutely horrifying to watch.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

This is a paid advertisement from BetterHelp. The 11th to the 17th of May is mental health Awareness Week, and here's a pretty wild stat for you. Despite all the work to destigmatise mental health and to encourage people to be open and talk about how they're feeling, nearly 70% of Brits say that societal attitudes discourage them from seeking help. That's according to BetterHelp's 2026 State of Stigma Report. And it's a pretty sad reality because that means that over half of Brits are struggling to reach out to someone and have a chat about what's going on. Deep down, are you one of those people? This Mental Health Awareness Week, why not check in and ask yourself if you've been feeling stuck, anxious or overwhelmed? Mental health support isn't just about being in a crisis. It's about having someone to talk to about how you're feeling, whether it's up or down. If you want someone to talk to, why not try BetterHelp? BetterHelp does the initial matching work for you so you can focus on your therapy goals. A short questionnaire helps identify your needs and preferences, and BetterHelp's over 10 years of experience and industry leading match fulfillment rate means they typically get it right the first time. If you aren't happy with your match, you can switch to a different therapist at any time from their tailored recommendations. You don't have to be on this journey alone. Find support and have someone with you in therapy. Sign up and get 10% [e-mail] Redhanded that's betterhelp.com Redhanded Recently, I've been trying to be a bit more intentional about what I wear day to day. Nothing crazy, but, you know, just trying not to look an absolute mess every time we record. And so I need some pieces that go together and are comfortable. For all of our long recording sessions and on this new mission, Quince has become the key. The fabrics feel elevated, the fits are flattering, and everything just works without overthinking it. Quince makes it easy to refresh your everyday this spring with pieces that feel as good as they look. That's because they use premium materials like 100% European linen, organic cotton and ultra soft denim. Their lightweight linen pants, dresses and tops start at just $30 and are effortless, breathable and easy to wear on repeat and everything at quince is priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands. That's because they work directly with ethical factories that cut out the middleman. So you're paying for quality and craftsmanship, not brand markup. Personally, I've been really impressed with the denim pieces that they've sent over and

[Hannah]

we all know that denim can be

[Sponsor Voice 2]

hit and miss, especially when it's at an affordable price point. It's either too thin or scratchy or it's not even denim.

[Hannah]

But when I tried on a pair

[Sponsor Voice 2]

of jeans from Quince, I was so shocked by the quality I had to double check the price tag.

[Hannah]

Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually

[Sponsor Voice 2]

use head to quince.comredhanded for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too.

[Hannah]

That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com redhanded for free shipping and 365 day returns.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

Quince.com redhanded

[Hannah]

a few times during the 10 minutes that Harambe and the child were in the enclosure, Harambe violently dragged the boy around the moat, clearly trying to find a quieter and less intense spot where there were fewer people screaming at him. But he also, at several points, gently lifted the boy up onto his feet when he was laying in the water and stood over the boy, carefully holding his hand and watching out for danger. Harambe used a ladder to carry the boy out of the moat and actually took him to the door that the keepers used to get in and out of the enclosure. Oh my God, I'm going to cry. This is too much. The 200 kilo gorilla then appeared to stand over the wailing boy to wait for the keepers to arrive. And then when the keepers did arrive, they made the split second decision to shoot Harambe in the head, killing him instantly. The little boy was then taken to the local hospital where he was assessed and found to only have minor injuries.

[Sam]

And before we go on to the public reaction, which we all remember, unless you're too young to, in which case go away, we're going to clarify a few bits of the Harambe narrative. We've watched several interviews with experts, including the highly respected late Jane Goodall, who dedicated her life to studying and lecturing on primate behaviour. And every expert we saw agrees that Harambe was not trying to hurt the boy. While nobody can tell what Harambe was actually thinking, none of his actions pointed towards any kind of deliberately violent intention. But the experts we found all also agreed that Harambe did need to be shot.

[Hannah]

The reason we can be so sure that Harambe didn't want to hurt the boy is because if he wanted to, the boy would have already been dead. Harambe was 200 kilos. That's 31 stone of pure gorilla muscle. As a silverback western lowland gorilla, he was stronger than any human who has ever lived.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

He could have pulled that boy apart

[Hannah]

like something from a horror movie, but he didn't. But he also violently dragged the boy from one end of the moat to the other. By pure luck, the boy was left relatively unharmed. However, one twisted limb or knocked to the head, that would have been a very different story. Even once Harambe was waiting by the door of the enclosure. He could have freaked out at any moment and dragged the boy to somewhere he thought was safe. Lots of people have also asked, why didn't they just use a tranquiliser dart? As anyone who's watched Animal Planet will tell you, tranquilisers take minutes to fully sedate an animal, especially one the size of Harambe. Being hit by a dart would have almost certainly caused him to panic and therefore risk the life of the boy.

[Sam]

With all of that in mind, let's talk about what happened after Harambe was shot. Once the footage of the incident found its way onto social media, the public went completely feral. Immediately, people began turning up outside the zoo with banners mourning Harambe and in some cases, throwing accusations at those responsible. Many felt like the footage was clearly showed that Hirame was caring for the boy and had taken him to the keepers and he was trying to do the right thing. Others blamed the boy's mum for letting him fall into the enclosure in the first place. And loads of other people blamed the zoo itself. The boy's mother, who had been facing away from her son trying to wrangle three of her other children, received an enormous amount of vitriol online. And for that reason, we've chosen not to name the boy or the boy's family, because you'll go on to see, it got pretty grim for them. Loads of people took it upon themselves to feel like the mum had taken her eye off the ball and was therefore responsible for her ownbe's death. And I can say with my whole heart that none of those people who think that have children or have even tried to wrangle one through a supermarket when it's got a scooter. Other people seemed to see the incident from the position of back in my day, kids were better behaved and suggested that the boy was lacking discipline and needed a good smack and that's why he ran away and fell.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

He's three.

[Sam]

Come on, he's three years old.

[Hannah]

And that crowd hammered the boy's family on social media. Initially, the mum put out a Facebook post saying that people were quick to judge her parenting and that she was just grateful that the right people had been there to save her son from harm. This post, while entirely understandable, did absolutely nothing to quell the anger. And within days, a petition on Change.org had reached half a million signatures asking for local authorities to conduct an investigation on the child's home environment. The family pulled back from social media and was eventually forced to move to another state to start again without all the hate.

[Sam]

The Cincinnati zoo also got battered on social media, and in all fairness, they do hold the most blame. Things got off to a bad start when Thane Maynard, the director of the zoo, mispronounced Harambe's name during a press conference and then spoke to the public as if they were stupid for not understanding the situation.

[Hannah]

Oh, no.

[Sam]

Classic wonderful stuff. He told the public that people criticising the decision to shoot Harambe don't understand primate biology and the danger that the child was in, which might be true, but it certainly came across as patronizing and heartless. He then went on to inform the press that despite the fact the boy had been able to climb through the barrier, the zoo wasn't negligent. He said, just like you lock your car and people can still get into your car, people can get through barriers. What?

[Hannah]

Yeah.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

What?

[Hannah]

I don't understand.

[Sam]

It's a zoo. Make it child safe.

[Hannah]

Yeah, there's children at the zoo. It's. It's mainly for them.

[Sam]

It's for children. This went down like a lead balloon with the public. Yet more petitions received countless signatures asking for the zoo to be investigated, shut down or prosecuted.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

This is a paid advertisement from BetterHelp. The 11th to the 17th of May is mental health Awareness Week. And here's a pretty wild stat for you. Despite all the work to destigmatise mental health and to encourage people to be open and talk about how they're feeling, nearly 70% of Brits say that societal attitudes discourage them from seeking help. That's according to BetterHelp's 2026 State of Stigma report. And it's a pretty sad reality, because that means that over half of Brits are struggling to reach out to someone and have a chat about what's going on. Deep down, are you one of those people? This Mental Health Awareness Week, why not check in and ask yourself if you've been feeling stuck, anxious or overwhelmed. Mental health support isn't just about being in a crisis. It's about having someone to talk to about how you're feeling, whether it's up or down. If you want someone to talk to, why not try BetterHelp? BetterHelp does the initial matching work for you so you can focus on your therapy goals. A short questionnaire helps identify your needs and preferences, and BetterHelp's over 10 years of experience and industry leading match fulfillment rate means they typically get it right the first time. If you aren't happy with your match, you can switch to a different therapist at any time from their tailored recommendations. You don't have to be on this journey alone. Find support and have someone with you in therapy. Sign up and get 10% [e-mail] Redhanded that's betterhelp.com Redhanded Recently, I've been trying to be a bit more intentional about what I wear day to day. Nothing crazy, but, you know, just trying not to look an absolute mess every time we record. And so I need some pieces that go together and are comfortable. For all of our long recording sessions. And on this new mission, Quince has become the key. The fabrics feel elevated, the fits are flattering, and everything just works without overthinking it. Quince makes it easy to refresh your everyday this spring with pieces that feel as good as they look. That's because they use premium materials like 100% European linen, organic cotton and ultra soft denim. Their lightweight linen pants, dresses and tops start at just $30 and are effortless, breathable and easy to wear on repeat. And everything at quints is priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands. That's because they work directly with ethical factories that cut out the middleman, so you're paying for quality and craftsmanship, not brand markup. Personally, I've been really impressed with the denim pieces that they've sent over, and

[Hannah]

we all know that denim can be

[Sponsor Voice 2]

hit and miss, especially when it's at an affordable price point. It's either too thin or scratchy, or it's not even denim.

[Hannah]

But when I tried on a pair

[Sponsor Voice 2]

of jeans from Quints, I was so shocked by the quality I had to double check the price tag.

[Hannah]

Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

Head to quince.comredhanded for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns now available in Canada too.

[Hannah]

That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com redhanded for free shipping and 365 day returns.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

Quince.com redhanded this is a paid advertisement from BetterHelp. The 11th to the 17th of May is mental health Awareness Week, and here's a pretty wild stat for you. Despite all the work to destigmatise mental health and to encourage people to be open and talk about how they're feeling, nearly 70% of Brits say that societal attitudes discourage them from seeking help. That's according to BetterHelp's 2026 State of Stigma report. And it's a pretty sad reality because that means that over half of Brits are struggling to reach out to someone and have a chat about what's going on. Deep down, are you one of those people? This Mental Health Awareness Week, why not check in and ask yourself if you've been feeling stuck, anxious or overwhelmed? Mental health support isn't just about being in a crisis. It's about having someone to talk to about how you're feeling, whether it's up or down. If you want someone to talk to, why not try BetterHelp? BetterHelp does the initial matching work for you so you can focus on your therapy goals. A short questionnaire helps identify your needs and preferences, and BetterHelp's over 10 years of experience and industry leading match fulfillment rate means they typically get it right the first time. If you aren't happy with your match, you can switch to a different therapist at any time from their tailored recommendations. You don't have to be on this journey alone. Find support and have someone with you in therapy. Sign up and get 10% [e-mail] Redhanded that's betterhelp.com Redhanded recently I've been trying to be a bit more intentional about what I wear day to day. Nothing crazy, but you know, just trying not to look an absolute mess every time we record. And so I need some pieces that go together and are comfortable. For all of our long recording sessions and on this new mission, Quince has become the key. The fabrics feel elevated, the fits are flattering, and everything just works without overthinking it. Quince makes it easy to refresh your everyday this spring with pieces that feel as good as they look. That's because they use premium materials like 100% European linen, organic cotton and ultra soft denim. Their lightweight linen pants, dresses and tops start at just $30 and are effortless, breathable and easy to wear on repeat. And everything at quints is priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands that's because they work directly with ethical factories that cut out the middleman. So you're paying for quality and craftsmanship, not brand markup. Personally, I've been really impressed with the denim pieces that they've sent over, and

[Hannah]

we all know that denim can be

[Sponsor Voice 2]

hit and miss, especially when it's at an affordable price point. It's either too thin or scratchy or it's not even denim.

[Hannah]

But when I tried on a pair

[Sponsor Voice 2]

of jeans from Quints, I was so shocked by the quality I had to double check the price tag.

[Hannah]

Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

Head to quince.comredhanded for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too.

[Hannah]

That's Q-U-N-C-E.com redhanded for free shipping and 365 day returns.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

Quince.com redhanded

[Hannah]

eventually, when the dust settled, neither the mother nor the zoo were formally prosecuted for Harambe's death or the three year old boy's safety. However, the zoo was forced to erect a better and less penetrable fence around the gorilla enclosure, which, like I'm looking at pictures of and I'm like, are you fucking for real? Looking at the old barrier, it is

[Sam]

a significantly better barrier.

[Hannah]

The new barrier is like even the

[Sam]

smallest child isn't getting through there.

[Hannah]

Yeah, like it's like it's not even as good as the barrier my parents have put up around our garden to stop our dog escaping. Like, are you for real? Just some fucking chicken wire would have done it. And then, of course, came the memes. As with all things on the Internet, what started off as a heartfelt outpouring of grief was quickly replaced with irony. Millions of memes saying RIP Harambe, justice for Harambe and yes, even dicks out for Harambe were shared across social media. Shirts were made saying George Bush killed Harambe and jet fuel can't melt Harambe in a shitposty crossover with 911 conspiracies. Why not? What is the Internet if not but for this?

[Sam]

As of 2023, it is estimated the iconic image of Harambe taken on his first day at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2014 has been shared over 25 billion times.

[Hannah]

Wow.

[Sam]

The image was sold as an NFT, remember them? By the original photographer who's called Jeffrey Makuri, and he described Harambe as a true friend. He sold it for $5 million. That is a true friend. In the years since his death, hundreds of charity auctions have been held in Harambe's name. Notably in 2021, during the COVID GameStop investment shenanigans, many people who made money donated portions of their profit to adopt a gorilla. And hundreds of thousands of dollars were sent to gorilla charities across the world, making a huge difference to the ongoing welfare of the species. I actually believe I read but this morning that the lowland gorilla is no longer endangered. In my desperate quest to find good news to talk about on under the duvet.

[Hannah]

How's that going?

[Sam]

Not great. So perhaps some of that attention had a positive outcome and was directed to the correct place in the end.

[Hannah]

But poor Harambe.

[Sam]

Poor Harambe can confirm she is crying.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

So sad.

[Hannah]

There's something about gorillas and other primates, particularly orangutans, that make me feel really sad. If I just see an orangutan, a picture of an orangutan, I will start crying.

[Sam]

Me too.

[Hannah]

There's something about them that makes me feel so sad.

[Sam]

Yeah.

[Hannah]

But anyway, there you go.

[Sam]

I think more so with orangutans because in my brain I'm like, they can't kill me. A gorilla. I know that can.

[Hannah]

Oh, a big male orangutan definitely kill you.

[Sam]

Oh, I'm sure.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

Yeah.

[Sam]

But my brain just doesn't.

[Hannah]

I was really lucky enough to see one in the wild because when I went to Indonesia, went to North Sumatra and we went to like orangutan preservation area, sanctuary area, like, they're wild, they just like protected and went there and they say you'll see mums and babies. Like, they're like, they're like pretty much like hanging around all over the place. But if you see a male, that's like quite rare. And when we were out there, we saw one and we were with the guide and he was like, okay, nobody make eye contact.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

Everybody just keep walking.

[Hannah]

He was massive. And he started following us and even the guide looked nervous, which I was like, this is like when cabin crew looks scared. I'm not, I'm not happy with this. But I didn't die. It was fine.

[Sam]

Apparently they've all got hep C. There you go.

[Hannah]

There you go.

[Sam]

That's why you can't hug him anymore.

[Hannah]

Or Dutch koalas because of the clap. Anyway, that's it, guys. That is the 10 year anniversary of Harambe. A very, very sad story. And yeah, ultimately I think it probably was a very difficult decision for the person who did the shooting. But I think as sad as it makes me, it probably was the right decision.

[Sam]

I agree.

[Hannah]

That's that. Goodbye. Bye.

[Sponsor Voice 3]

Pros Save more on the materials you need to get the job done inside and out at Lowe's right now, get 10% off in stock Trex Naturals decking now available in more style. Plus get 15% off select custom entry, interior and storm doors. Then we'll deliver it all straight to your job site. To help keep your jobs moving, get the brand's pros trust priced right and ready when you need them. Our best lineup is here at Lowe's. Ballot through 527, while supplies last selection varies by location.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

Want to be a star? No problem. Anyone can shine on TikTok. Post your first video today. Real life, real story, real you. Download TikTok and get started. Who says renting can't feel like home? Make your rental feel like yours. It all starts with one scroll. Download TikTok to discover easy home decor ideas.