Harambe, once a simple gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo has now become an Internet and cultural phenomenon. Having reached the status of social icon, Harambe’s life, and eventual death, has captivated the Internet in a way only a dead gorilla can.

Last May, a Cincinnati Zoo worker shot the 17-year-old gorilla in an effort to save a three-year-old who had strayed into the enclosure. After Harambe became violent with the child, zoo officials said they had no choice but to kill the gorilla, according to BBC News.

The publicized situation initially sparked debate among viewers, with arguments over the justification of the shooting. It did not take long, however, for the Internet to become obsessed with the Harambe story and hold on for dear life. To no surprise, social media found humor in the traditionally unhumorous.

Memes, tweets, social media accounts and videos flooded the Internet, dedicated to memorializing the dead gorilla. The Cincinnati Zoo’s Twitter account was bombarded with messages, some witty, others hate-filled. An unparalleled amount of attention was directed toward the zoo, but not in the way they had hoped.

Less than three months after Harambe was shot, the Cincinnati Zoo deleted their Twitter page, with no end of the Harambe jokes in sight.

“We are not amused by the memes, petitions and signs about Harambe. Our zoo family is still healing, and the constant mention of Harambe makes moving forward more difficult for us,” zoo director Thane Maynard said in a statement to The Associated Press.

However, the Internet is not a forgiving place. Despite the plea from the Cincinnati Zoo, Harambe memes persisted, energized anew by the termination of the zoo’s Twitter.

The zoo is “not amused” by Harambe memes, and neither are certain social media users, despite the growing frenzy.

“I think they were funny in the beginning, but after it being repeated so many times they’ve become overdone. The Harambe memes are just annoying at this point,” sophomore Maura H. said.

Today, the Harambe obsession stands strong. It is difficult to predict the behaviors of social media, but the beloved gorilla will always hold a place in the Internet’s heart, and meme database.