Chimps Shot Dead After Attacking Visitors At California Sanctuary

WFTV ^ | 3/4/05

[primatreat]

All people who think a grown chimp is cute, even a baby can tear the hell out of you. Most of the babies you see are doped up. One got loose in a Philly news room in the '80s trashed it faster than you can imagine. Putting aged chimps in camps is ok but to bring "cakes" to them when they are put around others that have returned to "primal" is a candidate for a Darwin award. A vet in my trade was moving one chimp to a transfer cage. He was attacked worse that this person. Chimps chew appendages of in the blink of an eye.

[norton]

First, the chimp they had raised was NOT part of the episode.
Second, we all treat our animal-cohort with too little thought of the real differences between us. (as in, your cat has not eaten you only because you are too big to chew)
Third, in defense of St James Davis, and if I have the same St James Davis in mind - pretty likely given the frequency of that name; he is an eccentric and wealthy person who has to my knowledge caused no harm and once campaigned the worlds slowest stock cars around So Cal tracks.

Pray for his recovery and mourn the fact that there are so few nonthreatening eccentric people in our midst that we must be satisfied with the bizarros who find their way into education, politics, and media.

[trad_anglican]

Whenever people anthropomorphize animals, they do animals (dogs, chimps, cats, whatever), a profound disservice and end up suffering the consequences.

That's right. Dogs are dogs and chimps are chimps. But kitties are people!

[doberville]

"Pray for his recovery and mourn the fact that there are so few nonthreatening eccentric people in our midst that we must be satisfied with the bizarros who find their way into education, politics, and media."

Hear. Hear.

Americans cannot do 'eccentric' as well as the Brits. It is an art, apparently. Somethings, we simply do not do as well.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I read a book many years ago about the US at war with the Chinese where the CIA taught a band of chimps to hate the Chinese by having Chinese POW's mistreat the chimps. The chimps were released behind enemylines and since the Chinese had a distinct B.O., the chimps would hunt down and brutally kill any Chinese they came across.

It could work for Middle Eastern terrorists, too.

[Ranxerox]

Never bring a cake to a chimp fight.

I know, I know, but somebody was gonna say it...

[freedomson]

[ValerieUSA]

A chewed off face and missing testicles because of associating with chimps --- you are right. This does sound a lot like Michael Jackson.

[null and void]

Kitty cat ping...

[monday]

"Whenever people anthropomorphize animals, they do animals (dogs, chimps, cats, whatever), a profound disservice and end up suffering the consequences."

I don't think baking their chimp a cake was the problem. It was being attacked by chimpanzees, which could have happened to anyone who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I agree that baking a cake for a chimp is pretty stupid though. They were also stupid for making a chimp a pet in the first place although I see no problem with more traditional pets. Dogs, cats, and perhaps ferrets and Parrots.

[null and void]

I've heard that humans are different, pound for pound our muscles are 1/10 as strong as any other mammals.

Has anyone else hear this? I haven't been able to find a source.

[sevry]

Anything that can kill you if it freaks out (or does what comes naturally to it) should not be considered for a pet.

I've seen people with chimps in cages in their backyard. In cages. Didn't seem right even at the time. But I was a kid, and said nothing (and got ripped off on the Nova I bought from the guy, as well).

These chimps were supposed to be returning to something of a feral condition, by design, as I understand it. These people may have been 'sponsors'. I don't know. But just because you have the big government severage bucks doesn't mean that all should be open to you. He who pays calls the tune? No . . I don't think so. There's a reason a whole assortment of critters are not allowed as pets - tigers, lions, you know? even though people do.

[Darksheare]

I've grown up with cats, had a bobcat domestic crossbreed for awhile.
One thing to learn is that cats take a stare as a threat.
Another thing to keep in mind: when you trip and fall over, the cat isn't running up to see if you're okay.
The cat is checking to see if you're too hurt to feed it. And if you are too hurt to feed it, the cat is checking to see if you're hurt enough for it to take down.

However, some cats get too used to human conveniences like electricity, heat, and running water.

[Graymatter]

By any chance was there a clown at this birthday party? Cherchez le clown, I say.

[Sax]

Never liked 'em, never trusted 'em, never thought it was funny when folks dressed them up to look like people. They are reasonably intelligent, far stronger than people because of the deep muscle insertion on their frame, and they sling poo. Trusting your well being to the whim of a wild animal is poor judgement in my book. "They're cute" is an idiotic excuse.

[Deaf Smith]

"First, the chimp they had raised was NOT part of the episode."

Perhaps, but maybe he told the others about these strange aliens that take you away from your home. Or maybe what Jacko did to a relative of his.

[agrarianlady]

We went through a drive-through safari once. We were warned not to go through the chimp section because we had a nice vinyl top on our car (this was the late 70s). We heeded the warning. When we got out of the safari, we saw another car with the vinyl top ripped to shreds.

Powerful beasties.

[null and void]

This is High-Oh-Silver AKA Figuero.

He's much bigger than he looks. And as solid as a brick.

He tolerates being fed, petted and brushed, and if you are very brave and brief, being picked up.

After a year of kindness and food, he won't actually shred you unless provoked. That's a big improvement.

[null and void]

*ahem*

[Darksheare]

Impressive cat.
He looks stocky and doesn't seem to appreciate the camera in his face though.
*chuckle*

How does he do with being fussed over?
My prevous cat, the domestic bobcat mix, loved being fussed over as if she deserved to be worshipped.
*chuckle*