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Terrifying footage captures moment gorilla charges zookeepers caught in cage Credits: Social Media
By Kieran Galpin

Terrifying footage captures moment gorilla charges zookeepers caught in cage

By Kieran Galpin

Horrifying social media footage captured the dramatic moment two zookeepers found themselves in an enclosure with a huge gorilla.�

Animal attacks at zoos and sanctuaries are not completely unheard of, as seen recently when a man was mauled by a lion in India. Thankfully, actual instances are far and few between, but that doesnt mean there arent close calls out there.�

The gorilla incident happened at the Fort Worth zoo

Western lowland gorilla dominant male silverback 'Makumba' aged 32 years standing portrait
Credit: Fiona Rogers

In recent social media footage, two female zookeepers got a little too close for comfort with an enormous ape. 

TikTok user Ben (@Ben306069) posted the footage on Friday after visiting the Fort Worth Zoo on March 7. In just under 24 hours, the two clips accumulated over 24 million views and almost as many likes.�

“Shocking moment two keepers where left in an enclosure with Elmo a male Silverback at The Fort Worth Zoo,” the caption read.�

The lengthy video started with Elmo storming into the enclosure and catching one employee by surprise. Luckily, she was able to sprint to the door before he reached her, with him instead kicking off a black tub on the floor. 

Though the situation seemed to end quite quickly, social media users were shocked to see another female employee further down the enclosure. Elmo didnt seem to notice her, or at least wasnt bothered, as he stalked the perimeter.�

https://www.tiktok.com/@ben306069/video/7343844982781922606

Though Elmo wasnt fussed by his enclosures new addition, the zookeeper hid behind a tree until she was given the opportunity to run for the door. 

The clips had social media wrecked

Understandably, people on social media were rattled by the clip, though some admitted to being left with more questions than answers about the gorilla charging the zookeepers.

One person wrote: Im really confused as to how this whole situation came about.

Did they think he was locked somewhere else? I need the backstory, someone else said, while a third added, God aint going to help you against a 500lbs gorilla. Also silverbacks rarely attack humans even in the wild.