Gorilla enjoys brief taste of freedom

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- A gorilla that escaped briefly from her exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo on Wednesday was tranquilized and subdued by keepers following an afternoon stroll.

VIDEO Watch the capture of the gorilla from CNN affiliate KCAL's helicopter Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Evelyn, a 24-year-old, 280-pound gorilla, was loose in the zoo for approximately one hour before she was shot with a tranquilizer dart.

The primate pulled out the dart and then stumbled into a men's bathroom. She was returned to the back holding area of the exhibit and was recovering Wednesday night.

During her hour of freedom, Evelyn had the run of the park as patrons were evacuated. She feasted on bananas and apples and pulled trash from trash cans, zoo officials said.

Judy Shay, a zoo spokeswoman, said keepers believe that some overgrown foliage in the exhibit gave Evelyn her means of escape.

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