Gorilla Charges at Family at Zoo, Breaks Glass Barrier

A family visit to the gorilla exhibit at an Omaha zoo turned terrifying when a male blackback (a young silverback) charged the group, slamming into the glass barrier Thursday morning.

The only protection from the powerful primate’s fury — the triple-pane safety glass — partially cracked under the impact of the attack.

While the incident sent the family running from the enclosure, The Zoo Management says that the gorilla, Kijito, only managed to crack one of the panes and the public was never really in danger.

Kijito is 20 years old, which makes him essentially a rambunctious, older teenager in gorilla years.  He has been with the zoo since 1996.