Patra Caesar
05-03-2005, 11:49
"Mama! Let's take daddy to the zoo (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12448211-2,00.html)!"
Chimps tear off man's face
From correspondents in Los Angeles
March 05, 2005
A CALIFORNIA man's face was torn off in a savage attack by two huge chimpanzees while he was delivering a birthday cake to his former chimp pet of 30 years.
The victim, St James Davis, 62, was in critical condition after suffering severe facial and bodily injuries, officials said today.
He and his wife had been paying a visit to their old simian pal, Moe, when the attack happened.
Mr Davis was attacked by two male chimpanzees who had escaped from a cage adjoining Moe's at the Animal Haven Ranch, near the town of Bakersfield, north of Los Angeles, the California Department of Fish and Game said.
"The two male chimpanzees attacked Mr Davis, who received substantial injuries to his face, abdomen and upper body," said department spokesman Steve Martarano.
"It was a very bloody attack, indeed."
Mr Davis was rushed to hospital, where he underwent extensive operations, including reconstructive surgery to reattach parts of his face torn off in the attack.
His foot and testicles were also mauled.
The victim's wife, La Donna Davis, 64, sustained serious hand injuries during the attack, which ended when the two chimps were shot dead, Mr Martarano said.
"The Davises were visiting Moe to give him a birthday cake, and somehow the two males escaped from the cage next to Moe's that housed a total of four chimpanzees," Mr Martarano said.
"Moe was not involved in the attack."
The two assailants - 16-year-old Buddy and 13-year-old Ollie - were shot and killed by a relative of the sanctuary's owner.
The two female chimps that had been in the cage escaped the sanctuary during the attack and were tracked down, tranquilised and returned safely to their cage after a four-hour hunt, Mr Martarano said.
"We are still investigating, along with the sheriff's department, how the four chimps got out of the cage," he said.
It was unclear what had sparked the assault on Mr Davis, who had kept Moe for 30 years.
He was forced to give him up five years ago, after the chimp injured a police officer and bit a woman's finger.
Chimps tear off man's face
From correspondents in Los Angeles
March 05, 2005
A CALIFORNIA man's face was torn off in a savage attack by two huge chimpanzees while he was delivering a birthday cake to his former chimp pet of 30 years.
The victim, St James Davis, 62, was in critical condition after suffering severe facial and bodily injuries, officials said today.
He and his wife had been paying a visit to their old simian pal, Moe, when the attack happened.
Mr Davis was attacked by two male chimpanzees who had escaped from a cage adjoining Moe's at the Animal Haven Ranch, near the town of Bakersfield, north of Los Angeles, the California Department of Fish and Game said.
"The two male chimpanzees attacked Mr Davis, who received substantial injuries to his face, abdomen and upper body," said department spokesman Steve Martarano.
"It was a very bloody attack, indeed."
Mr Davis was rushed to hospital, where he underwent extensive operations, including reconstructive surgery to reattach parts of his face torn off in the attack.
His foot and testicles were also mauled.
The victim's wife, La Donna Davis, 64, sustained serious hand injuries during the attack, which ended when the two chimps were shot dead, Mr Martarano said.
"The Davises were visiting Moe to give him a birthday cake, and somehow the two males escaped from the cage next to Moe's that housed a total of four chimpanzees," Mr Martarano said.
"Moe was not involved in the attack."
The two assailants - 16-year-old Buddy and 13-year-old Ollie - were shot and killed by a relative of the sanctuary's owner.
The two female chimps that had been in the cage escaped the sanctuary during the attack and were tracked down, tranquilised and returned safely to their cage after a four-hour hunt, Mr Martarano said.
"We are still investigating, along with the sheriff's department, how the four chimps got out of the cage," he said.
It was unclear what had sparked the assault on Mr Davis, who had kept Moe for 30 years.
He was forced to give him up five years ago, after the chimp injured a police officer and bit a woman's finger.