“Please Help Me!” — Horror as Gorilla Leaps From the Jungle and Attacks Woman by the River

“Please help me!” the woman screamed, her voice cracking in sheer terror as the gorilla’s massive hands closed around her shoulders. Within seconds, what had begun as a peaceful riverside picnic turned into a scene straight out of a nightmare.

The shocking footage, now spreading across social media with millions of views, shows the horrifying moment a large adult gorilla lunged at a young woman on the grassy edge of a river, pinning her down as she cried for help. The incident reportedly occurred near a secluded nature reserve outside Gainesville, Florida.

Witnesses say the attack unfolded so quickly that no one had time to react.

“It Just Came Out of Nowhere”

“It just came out of nowhere,” said 29-year-old Trevor Miles, who was walking his dog nearby when he heard the screams. “One second everything was quiet — birds chirping, water flowing — and then suddenly I heard her yell. When I looked, this huge gorilla was standing over her, and she was on the ground. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”

Trevor said he and two others tried shouting and waving their arms to scare the animal off. “We didn’t want to get too close, but it was terrifying. It was like something out of a movie.”

The woman, whose name has not yet been released, was reportedly filming a nature vlog by the river when the gorilla appeared from the thick greenery behind her. In the clip, she can be seen laughing and adjusting her camera before noticing movement in the bushes. Moments later, the massive primate bursts out of the foliage, roaring as it charges toward her.

A Viral Nightmare

The 37-second clip, which surfaced on Reddit before spreading to TikTok, X, and Facebook, has sparked global shock and debate. Many users initially questioned its authenticity, suggesting it could be CGI or a staged stunt. But wildlife officials have since confirmed that the gorilla appears to be real.

“This was no prank,” said Lt. Amanda Hurst of the Florida Wildlife and Conservation Department. “We believe the gorilla may have escaped from a private enclosure or an illegal wildlife facility. We are working to locate it and ensure no further danger to the public.”

Authorities have urged residents in the area to remain cautious while the search continues.

The victim, according to early reports, sustained minor injuries — scratches and bruising on her arms and legs — but was left deeply traumatized. She was treated at a nearby hospital and later released.

Experts Warn Against Human Encounters

Wildlife expert Dr. Kevin Roswell explained that gorillas, though generally peaceful, can become dangerously aggressive when startled or provoked.
“Gorillas are incredibly strong animals,” Roswell said. “A fully grown male can exert more than ten times the strength of an average human. If it felt threatened or trapped, even unintentionally, the results could be catastrophic.”

He added that such incidents are extremely rare in the United States. “We don’t have wild gorillas here. If this one was indeed real, it almost certainly escaped from captivity — and that raises serious questions about how these animals are being kept.”

The Internet Explodes

The video has divided online viewers. Some insist it’s part of a viral marketing campaign for an upcoming movie or wildlife documentary. Others believe it’s genuine — and are demanding an investigation into illegal exotic animal ownership.

“This is insane,” wrote one user on Reddit. “That poor woman could have been killed. Who lets a gorilla roam around near people?”

Another viewer posted: “If that’s fake, it’s the best CGI I’ve ever seen. If it’s real, that woman’s lucky to be alive.”

Within 48 hours, the video amassed over 60 million views and has been translated into multiple languages. Hashtags like #GorillaAttack and #RiverIncident have dominated social media trends.

Officials Search for the Missing Animal

Law enforcement agencies, including local sheriff’s deputies and wildlife rangers, have launched a joint search for the animal.
“We’re tracking footprints and reviewing drone footage in the area,” Lt. Hurst confirmed. “There have been unverified sightings in nearby wooded trails, but nothing conclusive yet.”

She urged the public not to approach if they see the gorilla: “Stay calm, back away slowly, and call 911 immediately.”

Meanwhile, animal rights organizations have voiced outrage at the possibility that the creature may have been illegally trafficked. “This is exactly what happens when wild animals are kept as private trophies or for entertainment,” said Lisa Darnell of the Animal Protection League. “It’s dangerous for the public and cruel to the animal.”

The Woman Speaks Out

In a short statement posted to her Instagram account, the victim thanked those who helped her and said she was “just grateful to be alive.”

“I thought that was it for me,” she wrote. “I was laughing one second, and the next, I couldn’t even breathe. I remember looking into its eyes — it wasn’t evil, just scared. But so was I.”

Her post has received thousands of supportive comments, with followers calling her “incredibly brave” and “lucky beyond words.”

A Chilling Reminder

Experts say the incident should serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of human-wildlife encounters — even accidental ones.
“In a world obsessed with viral videos and adventure content, people sometimes forget how unpredictable nature can be,” Dr. Roswell noted. “A single misstep can turn curiosity into catastrophe.”

For now, the woman’s screams — echoing in that viral clip — have become a haunting sound millions can’t forget.