Southwest
Shocking video shows zookeepers attempting to escape gorilla enclosure at Texas zoo
Two zookeepers found themselves in a frightening situation as they encountered a silverback gorilla in a World of Primates exhibit at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas.
In a now-viral moment garnering 14 million views, the gorilla, who is named Elmo, was captured on video as he appeared to aggressively charge towards one zookeeper.
The zookeeper is seen running before reaching for a door and using a two-way radio to call for help. The ape then crashes into a bucket of food and pauses to watch the zookeeper who is standing in the doorway.
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A man named Ben, who told Fox News Digital that he was the “responding security officer” at the time, shared the video today on his TikTok page under the handle, @ben306069 (See the video at the top of this article). The incident occurred in fall of 2023.
Two zookeepers at the Fort Worth Zoo tried to flee a gorilla enclosure on March 7, according to a TikTok video that has been viewed 14 million times. (@ben306069)
The video also shows a second zookeeper who was unable to escape until Elmo moved into an area that was far enough away from the enclosure’s exit.
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The employee kept watching the movements of the gorilla and remained still after setting something down on the ground.
After Elmo fled into the corner of the enclosure, the second zookeeper escaped.
A woman and a man can be heard praying for the zookeepers as the workers try to safely escape the area.
“God help her. God help her. God help her,” a woman can be heard saying in the background of the TikTok video.
“Please protect her,” a man said.
Bystanders in the viral video can be heard praying over the zookeepers saying, “God help her.” (@ben306069)
As the second zookeeper escapes, one of the bystanders can be heard saying, “Thank you, Lord.”
The comments on the video are filled with TikTok users responding to the prayers being heard in the background.
Based on the video, it appears the zookeepers were able to escape the situation safely.
The two zookeepers appeared to escape the enclosure safely and get away from the large gorilla. (@ben306069)
Elmo the silverback gorilla turned 34 years old on March 5, based on a Facebook post shared by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) – an Ohio-based nonprofit. Elmo was born at the Buffalo Zoo, which is located in Buffalo, New York.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Fort Worth Zoo for comment.
A representative for the Fort Worth Zoo told People Magazine in a statement today that, “On Oct. 20, 2023, an incident led to two of our zookeepers sharing space with our 34-year-old silverback gorilla. Thankfully, there was no physical contact between keepers and gorilla; and all staff and animals are safe.”
“Every day, the zookeepers shift the gorilla troop into their indoor habitat so that keepers can place the animals’ lunch in their outdoor habitat. Due to keeper error, staff entered the yard unaware that the silverback was still in its habitat,” the statement continued.
“The zookeepers work with and train these animals every day and thanks to their knowledge and expertise, they navigated the situation calmly and were able to exit the yard safely.”
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Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
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