Houston Zoo gorilla escapes barrier into hog exhibit
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A gorilla escaped a barrier at her Houston Zoo enclosure into a hog exhibit area Saturday afternoon.
Zoo officials say the 28-year-old adult female western lowland gorilla became curious about the red river hogs that share the exhibit and moved into an area that was unusual for the gorillas to explore.
The gorillas share a habitat with the hogs, but they are separated by a barrier. Officials have not said how the gorilla got past the barrier.
Officials say the gorilla was never outside animal containment, and guests were not in danger at any time.
The entire African Forest section of the zoo was closed for the response team to safely reunite the gorilla with her troop.
According to zoo officials, no animals were hurt and they were able to contain the animal without using a tranquilizer.
The gorilla family troop is fully reunited and an investigation is underway to ensure this does not happen in the future.
