Zookeepers face terrifying attempt to escape gorilla enclosure at Texas zoo
A viral TikTok video shows two zoo employees facing a frightening situation as they encounter a silverback gorilla in a World of Primates exhibit at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas.
Two zookeepers found themselves in a frightening situation as they encountered a silverback gorilla in a World of Primates exhibit at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas.
In a now-viral moment garnering 14 million views, the gorilla, who is named Elmo, was captured on video as he appeared to aggressively charge towards one zookeeper.
The zookeeper is seen running before reaching for a door and using a two-way radio to call for help. The ape then crashes into a bucket of food and pauses to watch the zookeeper who is standing in the doorway.
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A man named Ben, who told Fox News Digital that he was the "responding security officer" at the time, shared the video today on his TikTok page under the handle, @ben306069 (See the video at the top of this article). The incident occurred in fall of 2023.
Two zookeepers at the Fort Worth Zoo tried to flee a gorilla enclosure on March 7, according to a TikTok video that has been viewed 14 million times. (@ben306069)
The video also shows a second zookeeper who was unable to escape until Elmo moved into an area that was far enough away from the enclosure's exit.
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The employee kept watching the movements of the gorilla and remained still after setting something down on the ground.
After Elmo fled into the corner of the enclosure, the second zookeeper escaped.
A woman and a man can be heard praying for the zookeepers as the workers try to safely escape the area.
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"God help her. God help her. God help her," a woman can be heard saying in the background of the TikTok video.
"Please protect her," a man said.
Bystanders in the viral video can be heard praying over the zookeepers saying, "God help her." (@ben306069)
As the second zookeeper escapes, one of the bystanders can be heard saying, "Thank you, Lord."
The comments on the video are filled with TikTok users responding to the prayers being heard in the background.
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Based on the video, it appears the zookeepers were able to escape the situation safely.
The two zookeepers appeared to escape the enclosure safely and get away from the large gorilla. (@ben306069)
Elmo the silverback gorilla turned 34 years old on March 5, based on a Facebook post shared by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) – an Ohio-based nonprofit. Elmo was born at the Buffalo Zoo, which is located in Buffalo, New York.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Fort Worth Zoo for comment.
A representative for the Fort Worth Zoo told People Magazine in a statement today that, "On Oct. 20, 2023, an incident led to two of our zookeepers sharing space with our 34-year-old silverback gorilla. Thankfully, there was no physical contact between keepers and gorilla; and all staff and animals are safe."
"Every day, the zookeepers shift the gorilla troop into their indoor habitat so that keepers can place the animals’ lunch in their outdoor habitat. Due to keeper error, staff entered the yard unaware that the silverback was still in its habitat," the statement continued.
"The zookeepers work with and train these animals every day and thanks to their knowledge and expertise, they navigated the situation calmly and were able to exit the yard safely."
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