Horror at Texas Zoo as Full-Grown Silverback Traps Two People, But After Onlookers Begin Praying Something Amazing Happens
Editor’s Note: Our readers responded strongly to this story when it originally ran; we’re reposting it here in case you missed it.
Video has gone viral of two zookeepers who unexpectedly found themselves being chased by a massive gorilla and were fortunate enough to come away from the harrowing experience alive.
The incident can also be said to show the power of prayer in action.
The video, which was posted to TikTok on March 7, showed a powerful, 34-year-old silverback named Elmo sauntering into an enclosure in which two workers were standing at the World of Primates exhibit at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas, Fox News reported.
The video was shared on the internet by a man who said he was a security guard responding to the incident back in October, USA Today reported.
A second zoo worker in the video managed to get out of the gorilla enclosure when Elmo went far enough away from the exit.
The video also included shocked people in the viewing area who could be heard openly praying for the lives of the two zoo workers.
“God help her. God help her. God help her,” one woman said.
“God protect her,” she added several times.
Then a man appealed to God, praying, “Please protect her.”
Meanwhile, the worker stood behind a tree, keeping it between herself and the gorilla.
Finally, the zookeeper was able to get to the exit and leave the dangerous situation.
As she escaped peril, zoo visitors praised God, saying, “Oh, my gosh. Thank you, Lord!”
@ben306069 Shocking moment two keepers where left in an enclosure with Elmo a male silverback at the fort worth zoo #shocking #fortworthzoo #silverback #scary #zoo #zookeeper #gorilla #fyp #fortworth #elmothegorilla #exposed #coverup ♬ original sound – Ben306069
The zoo put out a statement after the video went viral.
“Thankfully, there was no physical contact between keepers and gorilla, and all staff and animals are safe,” zoo spokeswoman Avery Elander said on March 8.
Elander added that it was an error on behalf of the staff that the gorilla was in the enclosure when the workers walked in to bring out the animal’s food.
“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,” Elander added.
It most certainly did not hurt to pray for the workers’ safety, either. No amount of “training” can keep an animal as powerful and willful as Elmo from doing whatever he wants. That he somehow decided not to pursue the workers is something to be thankful for, because if he had caught them, they would not have stood a chance.
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