An enraged gorilla terrified visitors at San Diego Zoo after charging around its enclosure and shattering a glass wall. The 400-pound western lowland gorilla, named Denny, hurled himself at the glass on Saturday, causing panic among onlookers.
Visitor Jackie Doubler described the moment as feeling like an earthquake. 'It was pretty scary. There definitely were people there quick though - security guards. The zoo handled the situation well,' she said. The glass, made of three layers of tempered safety material, remained intact except for one layer, and Denny was uninjured.
The gorillas have been moved from the Forest Habitat enclosure while repairs are carried out. Denny's outburst came weeks after the death of his older brother Maka, who died unexpectedly in August from a cardiac event.
Zoo officials stated that such behaviour is typical for adolescent male gorillas. 'Bursts of energy, charging, dragging items, or running sideways are all natural for a young male,' a spokesman said. Primate behaviour specialist Dr Erin Riley explained that 'charging displays' are common and may be triggered by visitors staring directly at the gorillas.
The zoo has urged visitors to be cautious and respectful, avoiding tapping on the glass or provoking the animals. Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered in the wild due to deforestation and poaching in central Africa.
