In an alarming incident captured on video, two zookeepers narrowly escaped a potentially dangerous situation when a silverback gorilla, aged 34, pursued them within its enclosure at a zoo in Texas, USA. The frightening episode unfolded in October and was widely shared on TikTok, drawing significant public attention.
silverback gorilla
The incident began when, due to a guard’s mistake, the zoo employees entered the gorilla’s outdoor habitat, unaware that the animal had not been moved to its indoor enclosure for the routine feeding setup. The video showcases one of the zookeepers desperately trying to evade the gorilla, which abandoned its food basket to chase the employee. Visitors recorded as the women attempted to flee, with zoo staff audibly alarmed, calling for assistance to help the employees escape.
Wild viral video shows zookeepers trying to hide from silverback gorilla at the Fort Worth zoo
pic.twitter.com/KntRyUYWQ1— Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) March 9, 2024
The zoo later explained to DailyMail.com that the routine involves moving the gorilla group indoors so that their outdoor habitat can be prepared with food. However, on this day, an oversight led to the dangerous encounter. Thanks to their knowledge and experience, the zookeepers managed to handle the situation calmly and escaped the enclosure safely.
One zookeeper found temporary refuge behind a door within the enclosure, while the other hid behind a tree, facing a tense standoff with the gorilla before it eventually backed off, allowing her to join her colleague behind the safety of a closed door.
This incident has highlighted the inherent risks zookeepers face and the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent such dangerous encounters.
