Gorillas filmed banging on windows in abandoned zoo - what really happened?

A troop of gorillas at Bristol Zoo's old Clifton site went viral after urban explorers captured them banging on windows, looking almost desperate in a place that has remained closed for over a year now.

This heart-wrenching scenario brings many questions to mind, such as where these animals came from and why they are in captivity, banging on windows.

Why were gorillas locked in closed zoo?

Gorillas at Bristol Zoo's Clifton site grabbed headlines when explorers snuck in and filmed them pounding on enclosure windows months ago. The zoo had closed to visitors in 2022, but staff continued caring for the remaining animals, including a troop of eight western lowland gorillas, while building their new Central African forest habitat at Bristol Zoo Project.

Earlier this month, the group finally relocated, including Jock, the 45-year-old silverback leader. Born May 31, 1981, in France, he arrived at Bristol in 2003 and became an important member in Europe's breeding program for the critically endangered species, according to a LadBible report.

Tragic loss of Jock - the gorilla

Jock's health worsened just 10 days after he arrived at the new site. On February 26, 2026, Bristol Zoo Project shared that they had euthanized the UK's oldest male gorilla, as it was the best choice for his well-being given his age-related health issues.

According to a LadBible report, a zoo spokesperson explained, "It is too early to determine the cause of Jock’s illness, but we will conduct a full review as soon as possible. Silverbacks typically live up to 35–40 years in the wild, and face threats like poaching, habitat destruction, and health issues such as tooth loss as they age."

He had seemed to adjust well at first, but his condition declined quickly.

Jock has fathered a whole family of gorillas

Jock fathered several offspring, including Namoki, Komale, Kukena, Juni, and Hasani, strengthening the troop over two decades.

Sarah Gedman, mammal curator, shared with the Independent, “The decision to let Jock go peacefully was made with his comfort and quality of life in mind, a testament to the deep bonds between him and the people who cared for him every day. Jock’s legacy at Bristol Zoo, as a leader, father, and ambassador for his species, will live on through the gorillas he helped raise and the countless people he inspired. His life was a reminder of both the beauty and fragility of wildlife, and the importance of conservation efforts everywhere. This is a really difficult time for the keepers and all colleagues and volunteers here. We all feel we have lost a friend in Jock and will always remember him so fondly.”

What will happen to other gorillas in the zoo

The remaining gorillas, with their strong social bonds and sensitivity to change, are under close watch with extra enrichment. Staff mourn a friend while honoring Jock's role in conservation.