A recent incident at a Chinese zoo took everyone by surprise, leaving both spectators and staff stunned.
On May 1, 2025, a gorilla known as “Diunaxing” caused chaos at Nanning Zoo in southern China when it threw a rock into the crowd, injuring a visitor.
This unusual event has sparked discussions about the gorilla’s behavior and the zoo’s approach to handling such situations.
The Gorilla’s Playful Antics Gone Wrong
Diunaxing, a favorite among zoo-goers and social media fans, is known for its playful actions, especially when interacting with the public.
On the day of the incident, it was casually playing inside its enclosure when it suddenly grabbed a rock and hurled it into the audience.
The footage of this moment quickly spread, showing the large gorilla running around, rock in hand, before launching it toward the crowd.
While zoo staff acted quickly, rushing to help the injured visitor, it was reported that the injuries were not serious.
The person affected was promptly treated at a nearby hospital and later returned to their hotel.
Authorities are still investigating where the rock came from, as its source remains unclear.
Diunaxing’s Reputation and the Online Debate
Diunaxing has gained quite a reputation over the years for its playful and sometimes cheeky behavior, such as throwing turf, flowers, and even clumps of grass at visitors.
A similar incident in March 2024 went viral, when the gorilla tossed a piece of grass at a man, causing a minor injury.
The video sparked a heated discussion on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, where some users questioned the ethics of encouraging such behaviors for entertainment.
One user commented, “It’s the cornerstone of Nanning Zoo. Without it, the zoo wouldn’t attract visitors.”
Others voiced concerns, jokingly adding that if the electric fence were to fail, Diunaxing could potentially cause harm to a tourist.
Zoo’s Response and Ethical Considerations
In light of the recent rock-throwing incident, the zoo has made it clear that Diunaxing will not face punishment.
Zoo officials emphasized that they respect the natural instincts of wild animals and believe in peaceful coexistence.
They also urged visitors not to tease or feed the animals, as these actions can lead to unpredictable responses.
Kong Fanming, a senior animal trainer at Nanning Zoo, previously explained that gorillas are highly intelligent, emotionally expressive creatures.
They often mimic human behavior, which can make their interactions with people more complex.
Despite the concerns raised by the recent events, Diunaxing continues to be a major attraction at the zoo, with the gorilla house still open to the public.
Looking Forward
With the zoo’s ongoing investigation and commitment to animal welfare, it remains to be seen how they will manage such incidents in the future.
Diunaxing’s behavior has undoubtedly raised awareness about the fine line between entertainment and safety when it comes to interactions with wildlife.
For now, the zoo encourages visitors to be cautious and respectful of the animals, ensuring that both guests and creatures can coexist without further incidents.