A dog wandered into a gorilla enclosure at a US zoo. Now, videos of the canine in close proximity to the wild animal have taken social media by storm. Luckily, the dog managed to escape the arena unharmed.
On Sunday, visitors at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park were confused to find a stray dog in the gorilla exhibit. While at first, the ape seemed unbothered looking at the dog maintaining a safe distance, as the public continued to hoot and clap, the ape began to chase it.
A video shared by an eyewitness shows a zoo keeper trying to distract the gorilla aiding the dog to flee the exhibit.
Watch the moment here:
Zoo staff told Fox 5 San Diego that the intruder may have been part of a pair of dogs running loose in the park, virtually undetected until he was noticed in the gorilla habitat around 4 pm.
To take control of the situation and ensure the safety of all animals, wildlife care specialists recalled the two gorillas from the enclosure, which the zoo said is “part of the regular safety procedures at the park.” Then members of the Humane Society responded to the call to rescue the canine.
On Sunday, San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Officers responded to the @sdzsafaripark after a dog had gotten in to the gorilla enclosure. As soon as zoo staff saw the dog, they moved the gorillas out and our Humane Officers were able to safely move in and get the shepherd. pic.twitter.com/d7uVB6yF3o
— San Diego Humane Society (@sdhumane) June 13, 2022
The Humane Society’s Escondido Campus took in the dog to ascertain its identity and look for its owners. The dog has been identified as a male shepherd, however, there was no leash or microchip. They are hoping someone will come and claim the dog soon.
The dog is a male shepherd, with no microchip. He has been placed on stray hold at our Escondido Campus, as we search for his owner. Animal Caregivers have given the dog a shelter name of “Mighty Joe Young.” We are so glad no one was hurt. pic.twitter.com/9wekB6aTnV
— San Diego Humane Society (@sdhumane) June 13, 2022
“Animal Caregivers have given the dog a shelter name of ‘Mighty Joe Young.’ We are so glad no one was hurt,” the Humane Society wrote on Twitter.
The shepherd who we are calling “Mighty Joe Young” after our Humane Officers rescued him from @sdzsafaripark‘s gorilla enclosure has gotten a veterinary checkup from our team at the Escondido Campus. They removed some ticks, provided him with flea meds and vaccines. pic.twitter.com/IZu5IBaouI
— San Diego Humane Society (@sdhumane) June 13, 2022
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In another update, they said ‘Mighty Joe Young’ has “gotten a veterinary checkup” where they “removed some ticks, provided him with flea meds and vaccines.”
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