Visitors at the San Diego Zoo were left in shock when a gorilla slammed into the glass wall of his enclosure, creating a large, web-like crack.
The startling moment unfolded on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the zoo’s gorilla habitat, according to reports from ABC 10 News San Diego and KUSI.
A statement from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance confirmed that Denny, a 10-year-old western lowland gorilla, “broke one layer of a three-layered tempered glass panel at the San Diego Zoo’s gorilla forest habitat.”
The Frightening Moment
In footage captured by visitor Emily Houglin, Denny is seen sharing the habitat with another gorilla when he suddenly charges at the glass barrier. The powerful impact sends a loud thud through the area, causing startled gasps from the crowd. Moments later, the camera reveals the deep crack running across the glass.
Zoo officials assured the public that no one was injured during the incident. “Both gorillas will be cared for behind the scenes until the panel has been replaced,” the zoo said in a statement to KUSI.
Witness Reactions
Visitor Jackie Doubler, who was nearby at the time, told ABC 10 News San Diego that the impact “felt like an earthquake,” adding, “It was pretty scary.” Still, she commended the zoo staff, saying, “Security guards handled the situation well.”
Another witness, Katya Sutil, described Denny’s leap as “a running start, jump, and launch into the glass,” estimating that the resulting crack stretched about six feet long.
“It was directly in front of my face,” Sutil recalled. “When it hit, I was so jolted I fell back a few feet. When I looked up, the gorilla was staring right at me, making eye contact.”
Sutil also noted that both gorillas appeared to be “going back and forth, kind of taunting each other,” adding, “One would charge the other and then disappear, then it would happen again.”
Following the incident, the zoo temporarily closed the gorilla exhibit for safety assessments.
Understanding the Behavior
While Denny’s display may have seemed alarming to visitors, experts at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance clarified that this kind of behavior is natural for young male gorillas.
“It is common for male gorillas, especially in adolescence, to express these types of behaviors. Bursts of energy, charging, dragging items, or running sideways are all natural for a young male,” the organization explained.
About Western Lowland Gorillas
Western lowland gorillas, though the smallest of the four gorilla subspecies, are still formidable creatures — reaching heights of up to six feet and weighing as much as 400 pounds.
According to National Geographic, these endangered primates inhabit regions of Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo.
