San Diego Zoo Gorilla Slams Into Glass Enclosure, Leaving Visitors Stunned by Shattering Impact

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA — Visitors at the San Diego Zoo were left stunned over the weekend after a 10-year-old gorilla named Denny slammed into his enclosure’s glass wall with such force that it cracked one of the protective panels, prompting the zoo to close the exhibit for repairs.

Startling Moment Caught on Camera

The incident happened on Saturday, October 11, inside the zoo’s Gorilla Forest habitat during a crowded afternoon. Witnesses said Denny suddenly charged across the enclosure, colliding head-on with the thick glass barrier.

In a viral video captured by visitor Emily Houglin, Denny can be seen sprinting toward the wall before hitting it with a loud thud. Gasps and screams erupt from the crowd as a large, spiderweb-shaped crack appears in the glass directly in front of them.

Zoo officials later confirmed that Denny had broken one layer of the three-layer tempered glass panel, but no one — including Denny, the other gorilla in the habitat, or any guests — was injured.

“It Felt Like an Earthquake,” Says Visitor

Witness Jackie Doubler told ABC 10 News San Diego that the impact “felt like an earthquake” and left many visitors momentarily frozen.

“It was pretty scary,” she said. “The whole area shook. You could feel it in your feet.”

Another guest, Katya Sutil, said the gorilla had been playing and “taunting” another male just before the collision.

“He took a running start, jumped, and launched into the glass,” she recalled. “When it hit, I fell back a few feet — it was right in front of my face. When I looked up, he was staring right at me.”

Sutil estimated the crack to be nearly six feet long, adding that zoo security responded quickly, clearing visitors and closing off the exhibit.

Zoo Officials Say the Behavior Was Normal for Young Males

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) said that while the incident was dramatic, Denny’s behavior wasn’t unusual for a young male gorilla.

“It is common for male gorillas, especially in adolescence, to express bursts of energy,” the SDZWA said in a statement. “Charging, dragging items, or running sideways are all natural behaviors for a young male.”

Both gorillas are now being temporarily cared for behind the scenes while the damaged panel is replaced. The zoo said the habitat’s design — which includes multiple reinforced glass layers — kept everyone safe during the encounter.

Western Lowland Gorillas: Strong but Endangered

Denny belongs to the western lowland gorilla species, the smallest and most common of the four gorilla subspecies but also classified as endangered. Males can reach six feet tall and weigh over 400 pounds, and are known for their immense strength and protective instincts.

Populations of western lowland gorillas are found in Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo, according to National Geographic.

Zoo visitors are reminded that even playful or routine behaviors in large primates can appear startling due to their strength and size — a reality that makes the protective glass barrier a vital safety feature for both animals and humans.

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