Scary Moment: Zookeeper Narrowly Escapes Charging Gorilla At US Zoo

In a heart-stopping moment at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas, two zookeepers found themselves face-to-face with Elmo, the silverback gorilla, in the World of Primates exhibit.

Gorilla's fierce move caught on viral TikTok clip

The now-viral TikTok clip, garnering 14 million views, depicts Elmo appearing to charge aggressively towards one of the zookeepers. The footage shows the zookeeper sprinting and grasping for a door, urgently employing a two-way radio to summon help.

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Elmo then collides with a bucket of food before pausing to scrutinize the zookeeper standing at the doorway.?Ben, identified as the "responding security officer" at the time, shared the video today on his TikTok page, @ben306069.

Zoo staff stays calm amid gorilla chaos?

The video also showcases a second zookeeper initially trapped until Elmo moved away from the enclosure's exit.?The staff member vigilantly monitors the gorilla's movements, remaining motionless after placing an object on the ground. When Elmo retreats to a corner of the enclosure, the second zookeeper makes their escape.

In the background, a woman and a man can be heard praying for the zookeepers' safety as they navigate out of the area.

Unsplash| Representational Image

"God help her. God help her. God help her," a woman's voice echoes in the TikTok footage.

"Please protect her," a man adds.?As the second zookeeper makes their getaway, a bystander expresses gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Lord."

Zookeepers safely escape from gorilla enclosure

The comments section of the video is flooded with TikTok users acknowledging the prayers heard in the background.

Reportedly, the zookeepers managed to extricate themselves from the situation safely.

Elmo, the silverback gorilla, marked his 34th birthday on March 5, as announced in a Facebook post by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Ohio.

Archive photo of Elmo after one of his children, Gus, was born. Image by Fort Worth Zoo

This gripping encounter highlights the unpredictable nature of working with wild animals. Despite the tense moments, both zookeepers and Elmo emerged unharmed, emphasizing the importance of safety protocols in such environments.??

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