by Peter Melahn and Isaiah Meisle, Staff Writers

May 28, 2016. I will never forget where I was when my life changed forever. I was sitting at a coffee shop in Lititz, PA, enjoying a lovely summer afternoon when my mom leaned over and whispered to 13-year-old me: “They got Harambe.”

September 7, 1996, (20 years prior). Tupac Shakur was shot and killed while waiting at a red light in Las Vegas… at least that’s what people think. What we all later found out is that Tupac is actually living in Cuba, ducking the cameras to enjoy his best life.

Harambe’s death sent a shockwave throughout the gorilla loving community. As we grieved his passing, videos began circulating of the beloved gorilla facing a gruesome death. Though some found humor in watching him throw a child around like a hacky-sack, many of us watched in horror knowing what was going to happen next. A reader may take interest in the prospect that the video of the Harambe incident cuts off just before the Western Lowland Gorilla was allegedly shot. Nearly 20 years after Tupac was gunned down (allegedly), Harambe too fell to senseless gun violence. Or so we think.

The first question that arises: where is Tupac’s aunt? She has been hiding from the FBI since 1979. Perhaps she too is in Cuba with the legend himself. Second of all, where is Harambe’s aunt? Well, we don’t know where she is, but we know where Harambe’s mom is. Dead. rest in peace. She unfortunately ingested chlorine left out in an enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo a few years ago.

So we know Tupac is in Cuba, but where did Harambe go if we never actually saw him get shot in the famous video clip? In the nearly eight years since Harambe’s alleged passing, seven year old Fiona the Hippo has been hippo-popping off on social media. Perhaps Fiona, who recently lost out on her campaign to become the Cadbury Easter Bunny, is an industry plant being controlled from afar by a primate puppetmaster. Some speculate that Harambe, too, is in Cuba, enjoying the sunshine. In fact, the National Zoo of Cuba never responded to our emails asking if they have housed any gorillas in the past eight years. Suspicious. For some of us, we take comfort in knowing that maybe Tupac himself is taking care of our fuzzy king.

We’ve seen red pandas, Flying Pigs and even white Broncos make valiant efforts to run far beyond what our imaginations even thought possible. But none can draw parallel to this stage–right exit by our favorite gorilla gorilla gorilla (biological name for a western lowland gorilla).

Anyhow, maybe Harambe is busy ducking the cameras too with one of the greatest rappers of all time. In any case, next time you go to the Cincinnati Zoo, take some time to reflect on Harambe’s legacy and what he has done for our world. As you look at the beautifully cast bronze statue of him, take some time to remember our lost brother. God Bless America and God Bless Harambe.