A nine-year-old gorilla has used a palm frond to escape from his enclosure at Melbourne Zoo and go walkabout before being recaptured with the aid of bananas.

Yakini's big adventure kicked off around 5pm (AEST) near closing time at the zoo on Thursday when he grabbed hold of the frond and swung himself to freedom to go on a 20-minute stroll.

He managed to get as far as the elephant barn where keepers lured him in with the help of a bunch of bananas, giving vets the opportunity to sedate him with a dart.

Visitors to the zoo were ushered into various buildings around the zoo, including the gift shop, while Yakini was in their midst, and no one was hurt in the drama.

General curator Dan Maloney said keepers, who had gone into their animal escape drill, admitted they had a great deal of luck with Yakini who did not panic and was apparently looking for a secure place to hold up.

"I've worked in zoos for 25 years and you think you have seen it all, then something like this happens," Mr Maloney told AAP.

"Yakini was really calm - he didn't panic and then went inside the elephant barn - we copped a lot of luck."

He said the gorilla seemed to be looking for a place that would make him feel secure and he took the opportunity to find safety in the elephant barn.

"These animals are very bright and he's learned a lot in his nine years," Mr Maloney said.

He said Yakini was only knocked out for 15 minutes while he was bundled into a cargo net and carried into a van to be driven back to his enclosure which he shares with his father and brother.

The gorilla was given a check-up including the taking of a blood sample and a dental examination to make sure he had not chipped any teeth.

Keepers have also gone into the enclosure to prune back the palm fronds.

Courtesy of Mary Ann Howell