After he was killed, researchers removed Gorilla Harambe’s sperm to maintain his bloodline

No one will ever forget the heartbreaking passing of Harambe, a male silverback gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. A day after his 17th birthday, the boy was shot and killed, and the story garnered widespread media attention. Wildlife advocates criticized the Zoo official’s decision to use fatal force against the animal. But did you know that the dead 17-year-old gorilla was able to procreate and pass on his endangered species to the next generation? You did hear correctly. Even after death, Harambe continues to exist. Who knows how? Notably, back then, scientists preserved the sperm of the western lowland gorilla so that present genetic studies might carry on his lineage.

What precisely occurred following Harambe’s death, then?

The Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife at the Cincinnati Zoo is recommending that reproductive biologists conserve live sperm from the corpse of the dead animal. Cincinnati.com said that researchers worked hard to figure out how to utilize the retrieved sperm from Harambe in possible reproductive projects. In his official statement after the mammal’s passing, zoo director Thane Maynard spoke about genetics study and artificial insemination, which will probably assist to preserve the bloodline of the endangered species. “The future is bright. He told them at the time that it was not the end of his gene pool.

The zoo was allegedly maintaining and controlling genetic variety in around 360 gorillas as part of its Species Survival Program. It was thought to be an odd move to include Harambe’s sperm in the program in order to preserve variety and safeguard the gorilla population. It has also been reported that other researchers asked the zoo for permission to use tissues from Harambe’s remains in studies aimed at avoiding genetic disorders and illnesses.

When and how did Harambe pass away?

A three-year-old entered the Cincinnati Zoo’s gorilla cage in May 2016 by climbing inside it. The toddler was reportedly pulled by the gorilla from a tiny ditch to dry ground. The zoo staff took the tough choice to shoot the male silverback gorilla with a single rifle shot out of concern for the little boy’s safety. The youngster who had been saved was taken urgently to the trauma center for assessment; while he had received some injuries, none of them were life-threatening. The event was captured on video, which quickly spread on social media platforms and sparked “Justice for Harambe” campaigns that sparked outrage online.