Gorilla chases dog who entered enclosure at San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Watch

A tense moment erupted inside California’s San Diego Zoo Safari Park when a stray dog entered the gorilla exhibit on Sunday. 

Video clips of a gorilla chasing the dog include onlookers yelling “run run run” and luring the canine away from the stocky animal.

Another viral video on Twitter displays the dog, who appears to be figuring out a way to escape, standing a few steps away from the large gorilla.

The clip has garnered over 11,000 views and several comments.  

The dog, nicknamed ‘Mighty Joe Young’, bolted away from the gorilla, Franklin, and escaped unharmed from the exhibit, according to the San Diego County Human Society.

Later on, officers from the Humane Society rescued the pup while zoo officials attempted to keep the gorilla away. 

“This afternoon, a couple of domestic dogs were loose in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. One of the dogs jumped into the gorilla habitat around 4 pm. Wildlife care specialists successfully recalled the two gorillas out of the habitat so the dog could be removed,” the zoo said. 

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The German shepherd dog, who had no microchip or leash attached, quickly became popular at the local park and in the community.

Humane Society officers are now looking for its owner.

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“Animal caregivers have given the dog a shelter name of ‘Mighty Joe Young.’ We are so glad no one was hurt,” the Humane Society wrote on Twitter on Monday.

The canine is named after a 1949 film and its 1998 remake about a woman who builds a friendship with a mountain gorilla and later rescues it from poachers.