Posted on 03/04/2005 5:58:32 AM PST by KidGlock
Chimps Shot Dead After Attacking Visitors At California Sanctuary
POSTED: 8:08 am EST March 4, 2005
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A couple's plans for a birthday party for their former pet chimpanzee turned tragic when two other chimps at an animal sanctuary escaped from their cage and attacked. The man was critically injured with massive wounds to his face, body and limbs, and the attacking animals were shot dead.
St. James and LaDonna Davis were at the Animal Haven Ranch in Caliente to celebrate the birthday of Moe, a 39-year-old chimpanzee who was taken from their suburban Los Angeles home in 1999 after biting off part of a woman's finger.
Moe was not involved in Thursday's attack, said Steve Martarano, a spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Game.
The couple had brought Moe a cake and were standing outside his cage when Buddy and Ollie, two of four chimpanzees in the adjoining cage, attacked St. James Davis, Martarano said. Officials have not determined how the chimps got out of their enclosure, he said.
LaDonna Davis, 64, suffered a bite wound to the hand while trying to help her 62-year-old husband, Martarano said.
The son-in-law of the sanctuary's owner killed the attacking animals, Martarano said.
"He saw what was happening and had one kind of weapon with him and then got another he felt would be more substantial and shot them," Martarano said. "He pretty much saved a life."
St. James Davis had severe facial injuries and would require extensive surgery in an attempt to reattach his nose, Dr. Maureen Martin of Kern Medical Center told KGET-TV of Bakersfield. His testicles and a foot also were severed, Kern County Sheriff's Cmdr. Hal Chealander told The Bakersfield Californian.
Davis was transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he was undergoing surgery late Thursday, Martarano said.
Buddy, a 16-year-old male chimp, initiated the attack and after he was shot, Ollie, a 13-year-old male, grabbed the gravely injured man and dragged him down the road, authorities said.
"Everybody was trying to get the chimp off," Chealander said.
Two other chimps, females named Susie and Bones, also escaped from the cage they shared with Ollie and Buddy, prompting sheriff's deputies, animal control workers, and Fish and Game officials to launch a search.
The wayward pair were recovered by Animal Haven owner Virginia Brauer after five hours. Martarano said one chimp was two miles from the sanctuary, located 25 miles southeast of Bakersfield.
The Davises had waged an unsuccessful legal fight to bring Moe back to their West Covina home and visited him regularly at the sanctuary where he had been living since October. They brought the chimp from Africa decades ago after a poacher killed his mother.
Animal Haven Ranch has held state permits to shelter animals since 1985 and serves as a sanctuary for animals that have been confiscated or discovered lost, Martarano said.
It is allowed to house up to nine primates at one time and is home to one spider monkey and six chimpanzees, he said. The permits are held by Virginia and Ralph Brauer, whom neighbors described as responsible animal lovers.
"She's devoted her whole life to taking care of these chimpanzees," said Jeanne Miller, a family friend.
He too, is intolerant of handling, has a short tolerance span, and all of his original claws..
He will occassionally allow some brushing, but it often requires heavy leather work gloves to deal with him..
I'm sure that after some reflection, and some hours of "cooling down time", he appreciates the dangers we put ourselves in for his benefit..
I keep telling myself that..
He tolerates brushing. He'll purr and lean into it, but it's clear he doesn't want you to even *think* he's enjoying it.
He does attempt to break into the house, though...
Yeah. Me too.
My cat has not eaten me because I finally had the balls to take the stinking ungrateful thing to someone who already was cursed with a houseful of cats. I got a nice new ceramic tile floor our of the deal instead of the ruined carpet. I did not eat my cat because I am civilized.
LOL!
"I want your nice barcalounger, hyoooman.."
Actually I think he wants to eat my roommate's declawed (it wasn't her idea) 'fraidy cat, and take over...
Maybe the basement...
LOL!
"(and got ripped off on the Nova I bought from the guy, as well)."
What year Nova?
I have often thought my kitty would eat me in a heartbeat. Sometimes he looks at me in this way, I can't explain it, but I am thinking if I were tasty, he would chow down. I think Kitties don't love us and would toy with us killing us for fun if they were big enough.
(no)
Oh they definitely would eat you, and enjoy watching you squirm. If only they could. But I can take them. They know it, I know it. So we have a kind of arrangement.
You made my point,,that cat would eat me in a second, I am sure. And you too! He is gorgeous however.
I have a big orange male tabby, just absolutely the nicest cat, will crawl up on your lap and snuggle, loves to have his head scratched, etc. One day my ex-wife, who thinks she knows everything about cats, picked him up and he started to throw a fit. Instead of dropping him, she put the squeeze on. He rared back his fangs - the only time I've ever seen him spit - and let her have it. It was all I could do to supress a smile. He did get an extra round of kitty treats after she left. ;-)
Ping!
No what? He wouldn't eat me or he would.
Has the ACLU heard about this?
Sounds like excessive force and a violation of due process.
Per SCOTUS - the bill of rights applies to everyone.
I smell a lawsuit.
I'm glad humans are above that kind of thing.
The Davises had waged an unsuccessful legal fight to bring Moe back to their West Covina home.
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