Dog Rescued From Gorilla Enclosure​ At San Diego Zoo Safari Park

SAN DIEGO, CA — A dog was rescued from the gorilla enclosure at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in northern San Diego County.

Two dogs were loose inside the park in Escondido when one of the pups jumped into the gorilla exhibit around 4 p.m. Sunday, park officials said in a statement sent to Patch. A video on social media showed a gorilla chasing the dog in the habitat.

"Wildlife care specialists successfully recalled the two gorillas out of the habitat so the dog could be removed," officials said. "Recall training is a part of the regular safety procedures at the park."

The dogs were safely removed, and no animals, staff or visitors were harmed in the incident, officials said.

Officers from the San Diego Humane Society responded to a call from the Safari Park around 6:30 p.m., according to the organization.

"Zoo staff told us they believe the dog had wandered into the park on his own, and gotten all the way into the gorilla enclosure before he was noticed," Humane Society spokesperson Nina Thompson told Patch.

"The dog appeared unharmed and walked with our Humane officers to their vehicle without any issues," she added.

The male shepherd has no microchip, Thompson said. Humane Society staff named him "Mighty Joe Young."

"We are so glad no one was hurt," Thompson said.

The rescued dog is on stray hold at the Humane Society's Escondido campus while the organization searches for his owner. The Humane Society did not get the second dog, Thompson said.

Safari Park officials confirmed only service dogs are allowed on-grounds at the park.