2 gorillas escape from their exhibit

Two 400-pound-plus gorillas got out of their exhibit at the Kansas City Zoo and roamed in a zookeeper area for 3 hours, officials said. Zoo visitors were temporarily moved into enclosed areas while zookeepers assessed the situation Sunday afternoon, The Kansas City (Mo.) Star reported. After about 45 minutes, employees determined the public was not at risk and allowed people to leave the secure areas. The Africa area of the zoo where the western lowland gorillas live, however, was shut down for the rest of the day as a precaution. Zookeepers said they used special treats like marshmallows to try and lure the gorillas back into their enclosure. Finally, the staff resorted to spraying the gorillas with hoses and that worked. Zoo Director Randy Wisthoff said officials did not know how the gorillas got out of their exhibit but a "full assessment" will be undertaken. Julie Neemeyer, the zoo's director of marketing, said the two gorillas got into an place that allowed them to view female gorillas -- an area from which they are normally separated. "They were posturing for the females," Neemeyer said. "They were doing what male gorillas do."