**Viral News Snippet: "Harambe's Death Linked to Secret Lab Escape, New 'Evidence' Claims"**
**Claim:** A controversial new video circulating on social media alleges that Harambe, the Cincinnati Zoo gorilla shot in 2016, was not simply a zoo resident but was actually a "government-engineered hybrid" that escaped from a secret underground research facility beneath the zoo grounds.
**The Snippet:**
*"SHOCK NEW THEORY: Did Harambe have a microchip that wasn't for tracking—but for control? A grainy, 45-second clip claims to show a 'classified document' from a whistleblower stating the gorilla was part of a 'Project Koko' bio-enhancement program. The document allegedly states Harambe was 'in possession of enhanced cognitive abilities' and that his tragic death was a 'containment failure.' The video has racked up 2 million views in 6 hours. Zoo officials have not commented, but a 2016 veterinary report confirms the gorilla was 'standard.' Experts call the video 'convincing but fabricated.'"*
**Verdict:** ❌ **FAKE**
**Why it's false:**
- No credible evidence of a secret lab or microchip exists.
- The original 2016 incident was thoroughly investigated and ruled a tragic accident triggered by a child falling into the enclosure.
- The "Project Koko" reference is a mockery of the real, non-secret sign-language gorilla study from the 1970s.
- The video uses stock footage of generic lab mice and recycles audio from a sci-fi movie.
- The zoo's 2016 veterinary report explicitly described Harambe as a "healthy, normal 17-year-old western lowland gorilla."
⚠️ **Bottom line:** A viral hoax exploiting grief to push a conspiracy theory. Do not share.