Locals Recall How Much Harambe Loved Carolina Treetop Challenge

While most know Harambe as the late great Cincinnati Zoo icon, few realize his true passion: the Carolina Treetop Challenge. According to locals, Harambe was a regular at the adventure course, delighting in the Tarzan swings and cargo net climbs.

“He really took to the course,” said longtime staff member Dave. “You’d think a 400-pound gorilla might have some trouble with those log ladders, but he was a natural. We had to reinforce some of the platforms, sure, but he always nailed those suspended bridges.”

Regulars remember Harambe’s signature move: the double-swing backflip on the rope bridges, which he’d finish with a playful chest-thump. “The crowd loved it,” Dave recalled, a tear in his eye. “I think he felt free up there, y’know? Like he was really meant for the treetops.”

Now, in honor of their most dedicated fan, the Carolina Treetop Challenge has installed a bronze banana at the starting point. “It’s what he would’ve wanted,” says Dave. “He might’ve been famous elsewhere, but around here, he was our MVP—Most Valuable Primate.”