DENVER -- A gorilla returned to its enclosure after escaping it for a few minutes on Thursday afternoon at the Denver Zoo.

A zookeeper spotted the primate in a private, behind-the-scenes area at the primate house, zoo officials said. Charlie, the 12-year-old gorilla, was spotted in the back of the outside enclosure area.

The zookeeper opened the door to Charlie's enclosure and the gorilla returned to its area.

“I imagine it was curious," Denver Zoo spokeswoman Tiffany Barnhart said. "It didn’t get very far. He did come across some monkey biscuits in the back and ate some of them."

Barnhart said nobody was in any danger at any point. Charlie was reported back in its living area and in good shape.

Barnhart said initial reports pointed to Charlie breaking through metal mesh that enclosed its holding area. The area around the primate house was closed shortly thereafter as part of the investigation.

Barnhart said the zoo and the primate area will be reopened on Friday.