Visitors at the San Diego Zoo in California were quite surprised over the weekend when a gorilla went on an unexpected rampage. A 10-year-old male gorilla named Denny charged into his habitat and broke a layer of a triple-pane window.
Video footage captured the moment this western lowland gorilla attacked the tempered glass, sending onlookers gasping in shock.
The zoo confirmed the event to local news, and officials noted that the gorilla was inside with another animal but thankfully wasn’t hurt. A spokesperson mentioned that such behavior is not uncommon for young male gorillas, especially during their adolescent phase.
“It’s pretty natural for them to have bursts of energy, charge, and even drag objects around,” the spokesperson explained, which helps to contextualize Denny’s actions.
Interestingly, the western lowland gorillas can grow anywhere from 4 to 6 feet tall and weigh between 155 to 420 pounds. They’re known for their unique eating habits, like peeling radishes with their teeth before consuming them. Males can often be twice as big as females, and the lifespan of these gorillas typically ranges from 35 to 50 years.
As for Denny, it’s a reminder that even in captivity, these animals exhibit behaviors that can be quite startling—and entertaining, even if a bit alarming for visitors.
