ESCONDIDO, Calif. — A stray dog was rescued after it got into the gorilla enclosure at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on Sunday.
The San Diego Humane Society said that zoo staff noticed the dog in the gorilla enclosure at around 4 p.m. and moved the gorillas out. Zoo staffers contacted them so their officers were able to remove the dog safely.
According to WNYW, the SDHS said the dog was a male shepherd and had no microchip when he got into the park all on his own. The zoo told KFMB that the moving of the gorilla from the enclosure was “part of the regular safety procedures” they have in place. SDHS arrived at the zoo around 6:30 p.m.
KFMB said that no other animals or people were harmed.
According to WNYW, the dog was taken to the SDHS for evaluation but was not injured in the incident. SDHS nicknamed him “Mighty Joe Young.”
On Sunday, San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Officers responded to the @sdzsafaripark after a dog had gotten in to the gorilla enclosure. As soon as zoo staff saw the dog, they moved the gorillas out and our Humane Officers were able to safely move in and get the shepherd. pic.twitter.com/d7uVB6yF3o
— San Diego Humane Society (@sdhumane) June 13, 2022
The dog is a male shepherd, with no microchip. He has been placed on stray hold at our Escondido Campus, as we search for his owner. Animal Caregivers have given the dog a shelter name of “Mighty Joe Young.”
— San Diego Humane Society (@sdhumane) June 13, 2022
We are so glad no one was hurt. pic.twitter.com/9wekB6aTnV
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