If Harambe’s Death Moves You, Consider Other Animals’ Plights (Scott Simon)

The shooting death of Harambe, the 17-year-old western lowland gorilla, after a four-year-old boy fell into his cage at the Cincinnati Zoo, is a tragedy in all ways.

Harambe delighted zoo-goers, and may have meant the boy no harm.

The little boy’s parents say they are grateful their son survived and is doing well. But many people on social media platforms have attacked the mother as neglectful.

Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society said on his blog that the debate over how Harambe died reminds him of old dorm room discussions where people would pose imaginary questions that weighed the life of an animal against a human being’s.

But if some of the people who snarl at the boy’s parents on social media want to do something more for animals, they may need to look no further than their own dinner.

No bullshit from me. Here’s the real deal. Please pay attention.

“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Mahatma Gandhi