A DANGEROUS COUSIN: This chimp from the Knoxville Zoo bares its teeth to visitors, who observe from behind glass. Chimpanzees have been known to bite off fingers from behind bars.
Image: FLICKR/THE GUT
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Earlier this week, a 14-year-old, 200-pound (90-kilogram) pet chimpanzee in Stamford, Conn., left a woman in critical condition after attacking her—mutilating her face and hands. The owner, Sandra Herold, who tried to stop the attack, was also injured and briefly hospitalized. The victim remains in critical condition.
The chimp, Travis, who was shot and killed by police officers at the scene, was apparently a friendly fixture around the neighborhood. He appeared in television commercials and had a sapiens-level CV that included using a computer, bathing and sipping wine from a stemmed glass, according to The New York Times. Reports, however, are starting to surface that Travis might have bitten another woman in 1996 and that Herold had been warned by animal control that her pet could be dangerous.
Chimpanzees, with a genetic profile that's 98 percent like ours, can seem like cute, hairy iterations of people. But periodic violent attacks on humans, including one in Havilah, Calif., in 2005 in which a man was maimed by two chimps at an animal sanctuary, are reminders that the animals have at least one big difference: brute strength.
So why would an allegedly acclimated chimpanzee turn on a human—especially one whom he had known? Travis was reportedly suffering from Lyme disease, caused by a tick-borne bacterium and known to cause fatigue, joint problems and mental difficulties—including trouble focusing and poor memory in humans. Some have suggested that the attack was spurred by Xanax, a prescription drug used to treat anxiety disorders in humans, with side effects that can—but rarely—include depression, confusion and problem behavior. Travis’ owner claims to have given him a Xanax-laced tea the day of the attack.
To find out more about chimpanzee attacks, we spoke with Frans de Waal, lead biologist from the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. He is affiliated with the Living Links Center at Emory University in Atlanta where he is a professor of psychology, and is also author of The New York Times notable book of the year, Our Inner Ape.
[An edited transcript of the interview follows.]
Are captive chimpanzee attacks on humans common?
Yeah, definitely common. Most of the time they attack through cage bars. They bite off fingers. It happens more often with people they don't know very well and people who aren't familiar with chimpanzees. But it has happened to many of the best scientists and researchers, who are now missing digits. The reason we have them behind bars in zoos and research settings is because chimpanzees can be very dangerous—it's to protect ourselves. This was a sort of free-ranging chimp, which is much more dangerous.
But chimps in the wild are not used to people—they're afraid of them. That's why Jane Goodall had to habituate them. So, really wild chimps don't attack people. But in captivity, they have learned in the meantime that they are stronger than humans.
How strong are they?
The chimpanzee has strength for a human that is utterly incomprehensible. People watch pro wrestlers on TV and think they are strong. But a pro wrestler would not be able to hold a chimpanzee still if they wanted to. Chimpanzee males have been measured as having five times the arm strength as a human male. Even a young chimpanzee of four or five years, you could not hold it still if you wanted to. Pound-for-pound, their muscles are much stronger. And the adult males, like Travis—unless his were filed down—have big canine teeth. So you have a very dangerous creature in front of you that is impossible to control.
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94 Comments
Add CommentWhy don't people understand what the term 'wild animals' mean?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have heard it before and it makes me wonder. Why are chimps so strong? Their muscle mass does not look to be that great. I suspect it is one of three things. 1. Muscle attachment points, 2. adrenaline present in the blood stream, 3. Muscle fiber type and ratio.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisEither way, I wouldn't keep one around, unless I kept it in a cage.
I learnt from CNN that the chimp had been given tea and Xanax. The animal is already classified "wild" and weighs 200 lbs. What was the pet's owner thinking ?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisthe title of this piece reminds me of an article i read a few years ago in the Simian Sentinel entitled "Why would humans kill our parents, kidnap us, and put us in prison until we die, just so they can take their children to the prison to laugh at us as we try to find some purpose to living in a concrete cage with no privacy?" hmm, why would a chimp attack a human, indeed? i guess we'll never know.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe elderly woman owner of Travis said after the attack she maintains her decision to keep the chimp as a pet. Some people are just not able to think and behave reasonably. Laws should be there to defend these people and especially innocent third parties from irresponsible behavior. The lady suffered the loss of her husband and a daughter. We cannot require her to think clearly. To keep a dangerous animal as a pet should not have been up to her. Well, it's true, Mike Tyson bites, too, but that's another story. Humans are different. Often.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDuring the early 70's I happened to stay with a family in Tenn. who owned a 3- 4 year chimp, Tanya. She was learning sign language for the U of Oklahoma and other human skills. She had been adopted very young.. This particular chimp had rules, developed and instinctual. This chimp I experienced did not understand human values, was reactionary.She copped attitudes when limited, was territorial.She did not like cats nor black people.She acted negatively towards them in public with throat grunts and lunging, we were told to never admit the problem (after all as the owner felt she was just a baby.).. The chimp knew if you repeatedly tricked her. She could put simple cause and effect situations together ...She tended to selectively remember what things she didnt like of you.She only had to behave for her core family member understanding their tolerances. Her owners most effectively punished her by ignoring her (withdrawing affection)if too long the chimp would fall into a terrible depression rocking herself and bubbling her lips while holding a pillow or blanket.... violence seemed to turn into a bitter mean game she was not willing to lose, she would tear the whole house apart over turning furniture and shelving the owners avoided letting it get that far though there was a cattleprode in the house.The chimp bit me once gently as a warning but I'd seen her bite open a can of fruit like it was nothing..I learned quick to heed such warnings and throat grunts.The chimp once punched me in the eye when she thought I was a threat to her owner, her owner had asked me to fixed a clasp on the back of her dress before she went out.......
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy personal opinion is extensive when it comes to all animals in light of your responsibility to all creation.Mismanagement results into attacks domestic to exotic, all avoidable with hindsight....Human beings are by nature ungod like therefore it is not wise to leave them in charge of sensitive powerful creatures. Without their natural habitat with no like role models or creature comforts...Not long after Tanya was taken to Corpus Christi Texas to be introduced to a chimp colony> for as she reached puberty she had emotional and physical needs her loving owner knew she could not provide. Travis was a teenager I am grieved for all those who did not effectively represent the god they poise to be...I am sorry for the owners... I am sorry for those who allowed this neighbor Charla to risk so much...in only a few months I knew..everyone knows. Face the truth!
has anyone visited any of the war torn countries,lately? have you visited any prisons, read or heard the news today filled with murder , rape and mutilation of children. Dont even think of the high crimes...The ape is not expected to be evolved.So whos evolved? Of mice and men...Sad but true
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI was just wondering if anyone happens to know why she would have given the chimp a Xanax in the first place. It goes without saying that the desired effect was to calm the chimp down, but perhaps the reason he was given Xanax to begin with is because he was already acting violently to a certain degree.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisBecause a lot of them are not as smart as Travis was.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI work with gorillas - and I find it amazing the differences in behavior that chimpanzees have with gorillas. Gorillas have been vilified by comic books, cartoons, movies and video games since their discovery, but they are actually very shy, gentle and non-aggressive compared to the chimpanzee (or even many humans for that matter) - who the media usually portrays as a funny, playful and friendly animal. Humans will seem to always judge books by their cover - I'd rather fall in a cage full of gorillas than in one with just one chimp.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSo this woman chose to buy this chimp beyond its own control, gave it prescription depressives, and then it acts out and the chimp ends up having its life ended by police. I'd say the chimpanzee already demonstrates its near-equal genetic percentages with humans just by ironic fact of the violence that humans show in similarity with the chimps. Sad story all around.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSo this woman chose to buy this chimp beyond its own control, gave it prescription depressives, and then it acts out and the chimp ends up having its life ended by police. I'd say the chimpanzee already demonstrates its near-equal genetic percentages with humans just by ironic fact of the violence that humans show in similarity with the chimps. Sad story all around.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPeople need to learn that wild animals do NOT make good pets. They are meant to be in the wild and when you take them out of their habitat and keep them as pets, they still have their survival traits from the wild. It doesn't matter if you train them, they are STILL going to be wild. These animals may be cute as babies, but they get older and get stronger, then they're not so cute. matter If you keep a wild animal as a pet, expect serious consequences. I hope the chimps keeper leanrs her lesson.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPeople need to learn that wild animals do NOT make good pets. They are meant to be in the wild and when you take them out of their habitat and keep them as pets, they still have their survival traits from the wild. It doesn't matter if you train them, they are STILL going to be wild. These animals may be cute as babies, but they get older and get stronger, then they're not so cute. matter If you keep a wild animal as a pet, expect serious consequences. I hope the chimps keeper leanrs her lesson.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPeople are asking why this happened. Have they looked at the news. Every day you can find much worse violent crimes commited by humans. Maybe the chimp was just imitating what it saw around it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisVery true, humans are dangerous. Why war torn, even in what looks like a serene settings like university college or a temple or chruch voilence can just about break and people get killed -across the world -no country is exception, no race is - i call the world nasty! lucky that we still managed to survive (those who are)! And we call ourself evolved!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisTHERE IS NO WISDOM HERE, HELLO, HELLO! THE WOMAN LOST BOTH OF HER EYES, NOT TO MENTION HER FACE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS A DELIBERATE ATTEMPT OF MURDER ON THE OWNER'S PART, AND SHE NEEDS TO SPEND THE REST OF HER LIFE IN JAIL OR GET THE DEATH PENALTY!!!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe victim lost both of her eyes, not just her face. The owner needs to be arrested immediately and charged with attempted murder. She should get life in prison or the death penalty. The owner is a very sick person.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYou people are sick. The victim lost both of her eyes; hello, hello! These animals are NOT stuffed toys. The owner is a sick person and I believe she deliberately drugged this animal in order to provoke an attack against the victim. Gorillas, chimps, etc. aren't "friendly critters" sick people!!!! The owner deserves life in prison or the death penalty.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI don't think the owner indended any harm or malice to anyone. I believe she was, however, totally ignorant to what might happen with a wild animal in the house. People seem to believe that if they take a wild animal in, and raise it, that it will now be domesticated. And clearly, this is not true.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI believe that Travis attacked a human because there were no other chimps around to attack. He was a 14 year old, with raging hormones and a lifestyle that was not a normal situation. These animals need others of their own kind around for community living. As has been stated....chimps are aggressive, territorial, strong and dangerous.
We read things like this with other animals...seems that at least once every few months...more and more often. A "pet" tiger that tears off an arm of a caregiver, or a bear that attacks and kills it's owner, etc., etc., etc.
I think humans just aren't quite getting the picture that the cute, lovable, playful babies grow up to be dangerous WILD animals. Therefore the ongoing need for sanctuaries contiues. It's simply tragic.
Myths vs. reality regarding animals would be an interesting study. Folk wisdom about gorillas, wolves, and hyenas, to give three examples, is wrong.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMyths about animals are based on appearance rather than reality. Folk wisdom about wolves, gorillas, most snakes, and hyenas is wrong.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisTotally agree with you...they're wild people and also animal, who knows what they are thinking when you are near them...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf not even lawmakers seem to know that wild animals do not make good pets, how can we expect emotionally stressed elderly people to know? Some dog races were built to kill, everybody knows this, but since dog owners bark louder we all accept children being mauled and massacred by pitbulls and rottweilers. People just basically don't care.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisgo to the shelter and get an abandoned cat or dog.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSorry, allirog, the abuse report was totally an accident! Your comment was the last one above the set of numbers enumerating the comments, and I was just trying to click on the next set of comments and my mouse bolted. Obviously I am not competent to own one! Please forgive. I will try to rectify with the moderator. I think your observation is very interesting concerning chimps and gorillas, and has some basis in fact, but even gorillas can threaten and attack, and are even more powerful than chimps. It is the habituation to human company that both causes and disguises the threat that chimpanzees will harm humans.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe owner of the chimp named Travis is to be pitied. A person who attempts to maintain an animal (that is understood by professionals to be dangerous outside a controlled compound) is an ignorant and incapable person.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe chimp cannot be be other than what it is.
The law can be changed and enforced if localities or states commit to it. The town and state affected have an opportunity to do that now.
Well, that's an interesting point of view...murder by chimpanzee. Come on. This was a very lonely woman who instead of human companionship found companioship with a wild animal. It's very eay to love animals, but you can never forget that a wild animal is in fact wild. (No matter how cute and cuddly it is.) Do you relly believe this pathetic woman tried to kill her friend by drugging her chimp and hoping it would become violent? What are the odds that it would have a reaction. Pretty slim. I never heard of drugs that were ingested taking affect in five minutes either. (Or did she INJECT the Xanex???) The woman who kept the pet is responsible but I think murder charges are a little ridiculous even in light of the horrific circumstances. Too bad anumal control hadn't prevented this animal from roaming relatively free in society.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAn attack from a large dog can be defended by allowing the dog to bite down on the forearm and striking behind its head with the opposite hand. This happens several times a year in the US. This won't work with a chimpanzee, which has jaws strong enough to simply bite through the forearm.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisChimpanzees engage in war and are cannibals, and are known to kill and eat intruders. This rest of this victim's face will be found when the animal's digestive tract is autopsied.
Why the attack? The reason itself explains why the reason has not been published: sexual jealousy.
Keeping a chimpanzee should be prohibited, except under permit by licensed experts for zoos or research purposes.
An attack from a large dog can be defended by allowing the dog to bite down on the forearm and striking behind its head with the opposite hand. This happens several times a year in the US. This won't work with a chimpanzee, which has jaws strong enough to simply bite through the forearm.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisChimpanzees engage in war and are cannibals, and are known to kill and eat intruders. This rest of this victim's face will be found when the animal's digestive tract is autopsied.
Why the attack? The reason itself explains why the reason has not been published: sexual jealousy.
Keeping a chimpanzee should be prohibited, except under permit to licensed professionals for zoos and research purposes.
"I cooked for him, I shopped for him, I lived with him, I slept with him," Herold told WNYW This woman also mentioned taking baths together. Was there more going on here than we would like to believe? Was there a sexual relationship? Sick Sick Sick...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf I were sleeping with Sandra Herold I'd kill someone too.
Quote: "I cooked for him, I shopped for him, I lived with him, I slept with him," Herold told WNYW She also confided she took baths with the chimp. Just what was going on? Was there a sexual relationship which no one wants to address? It sure looks like it, by the woman's own admission.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisxlr8rcat at 03:06 PM on 02/20/09
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"This was a very lonely woman who instead of human companionship found companioship with a wild animal."
She has said herself that the chimpanzee slept in her bed. Extrapolate and you may determine cause. Sorry.
"I never heard of drugs that were ingested taking affect in five minutes either."
You mean "effect". Any tobacco, alcohol, or other recreational drug user would disagree with you. No matter. You can expect the autopsy to indicate Xanax, and likely other pharmaceuticals as well. That won't matter either.
Am I the only person to notice the photo caption about our 'cousin' chimpanzee? In Scientific American we are reading this? Last time I took high school science class, chimpanzees and gorillas were separate species from humans. A first 'cousin' has a parent who is your parent's sibling. And they are all humans. There aren't any separate species that can be called 'cousins' by the standard meaning of that word and a proofreader at Scientific American should be demoted for this one!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHaven't we had enough noise about a cartoon in the New York post about chimps to last a long while?
'Srqjohnson at 05:22 PM on 02/20/09
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisQuote: "I cooked for him, I shopped for him, I lived with him, I slept with him," Herold told WNYW She also confided she took baths with the chimp. Just what was going on? Was there a sexual relationship which no one wants to address? It sure looks like it, by the woman's own admission.'
I surmised the same thing.
Animals almost always attack for reasons which are readily understandable. Males of nearly all mammalian species will attack for food, to defend their territory, to establish group dominance patterns, and to ensure access to females. Animals will characteristically attack if they have been abused or are deeply frustrated by captivity, which hardly seems to be the case here.
By human standards, this was a chimpanzee in its late teens or early twenties. It was described as "agitated" and "rambunctious", which is how young men get to be ... in the spring. And there had been a rather warm spell in Connecticut recently.
Further, the victim had just gotten her hair cut short - and a chimpanzee is bright enough to figure out that long hair generally means female and that short hair means male - and therefore a potential sexual rival. I'm persuaded that the attack may have been motivated by sexual jealousy directed at the victim.
Its a terrible incident, but the mauled woman drove to the scene & got out of her car....she was unafraid. Bottom line is these animals belong in the wild keeping 1 as a pet is abuse!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat's the trick to getting comments to display?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf I can get comments to display again, perhaps I'll get the answer.
I'm using an iPhone & it was with great difficulty...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"Blackdogxx at 05:46 PM on 02/20/09
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"Last time I took high school science class, chimpanzees and gorillas were separate species from humans . . . There aren't any separate species that can be called 'cousins' by the standard meaning of that word and a proofreader at Scientific American should be demoted for this one!"
A figure of speech, if you will. Members of a cladistic relationship, like humans and other primate groups, are typically and rather reasonably referred to as "cousins".
If you suppose that life on earth evolved only once, then you must conclude that all living things have a common ancestor, and that all are therefore distant "cousins" to all others.
It is true, as you say, that "A first 'cousin' has a parent who is your parent's sibling," but there are also second cousins, third cousins, and so forth. It may be helpful to think of lemurs also as cousins - thousands of generations removed.
On the other hand, this would not be helpful in explaining why King Julien and I seem to have so many character traits in common.
It is very sad to say it, but anyone that lets a dangerous animal like a chimp roam near people is falling into criminal behavior. I have no idea if the lady owning this chimp may have something in her favor, but any way she fell into a very irresponsible action. Of course I understand that some people out there may live near these creatures in the wild but they probably well know what to do and what not to do with respect to these animals. Also researchers in Universities and Institutions make look it simple to work with chimps but now we see how difficult and dangerous it may be. To what extent the victim of the attack is responsible for the animals’ behavior? I have no idea. It is difficult to deal with a mean dog loose in the streets, now imagine a chimp. My point of view is that people that let mean dogs (let alone chimps) to wander about near people are tremendously irresponsible and real criminals. I have had close encounters with mean dogs, and once I was bitten. In rural areas people may be more aware of the presence of dangerous animals, but in a big city no one expects to face a mad dog or any other animal all of a sudden. I hope the victim of the attack gets well very soon. I am sure she will. Animals are very beautiful, but we should be careful with them.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOKAY I HATE TO BRING THIS UP BUT WHAT ELSE WAS THIS WOMAN DOING WITH THIS CHIMP - WHO IS REALLY A MAN IN APES CLOTHING? SHE GAVE HIM WINE, XANAX, KISSED HIM, SLEPT WITH HIM AND BATHED WITH HIM, LET HIM COMB HER HAIR AND SO ON... SO COMEON LADY HOW DID HE PERFORM THE TABOO ACT WITH YOU - THAT MUST HAVE BEEN A REAL KILLER! THE OTHER LADY WAS ALSO INSANE FOR COMING OVER THERE AND HOLDING A STUPID TOY IN FRONT OFHER FACE - SO HE COULD NOT EVEN RECOGNIZE HER - MY MASTIFF HATED STUFF LIKE THAT I'M SURE THIS HORNY DRUGGED PROTECTIVE POOR CHIMP WAS THE REAL VICTIM IN THIS CASE - HE WAS VICTIMIZED THE ENTIRE TIME - IF HE WAS A REAL CHILD SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL FOR ALL THE THINGS SHE DID TO HIM.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOKAY I HATE TO BRING THIS UP BUT WHAT ELSE WAS THIS WOMAN DOING WITH THIS CHIMP - WHO IS REALLY A MAN IN APES CLOTHING? SHE GAVE HIM WINE, XANAX, KISSED HIM, SLEPT WITH HIM AND BATHED WITH HIM, LET HIM COMB HER HAIR AND SO ON... SO COMEON LADY HOW DID HE PERFORM THE TABOO ACT WITH YOU - THAT MUST HAVE BEEN A REAL KILLER! THE OTHER LADY WAS ALSO INSANE FOR COMING OVER THERE AND HOLDING A STUPID TOY IN FRONT OFHER FACE - SO HE COULD NOT EVEN RECOGNIZE HER - MY MASTIFF HATED STUFF LIKE THAT I'M SURE THIS HORNY DRUGGED PROTECTIVE POOR CHIMP WAS THE REAL VICTIM IN THIS CASE - HE WAS VICTIMIZED THE ENTIRE TIME - IF HE WAS A REAL CHILD SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL FOR ALL THE THINGS SHE DID TO HIM.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOKAY I HATE TO BRING THIS UP BUT WHAT ELSE WAS THIS WOMAN DOING WITH THIS CHIMP - WHO IS REALLY A MAN IN APES CLOTHING? SHE GAVE HIM WINE, XANAX, KISSED HIM, SLEPT WITH HIM AND BATHED WITH HIM, LET HIM COMB HER HAIR AND SO ON... SO COMEON LADY HOW DID HE PERFORM THE TABOO ACT WITH YOU - THAT MUST HAVE BEEN A REAL KILLER! THE OTHER LADY WAS ALSO INSANE FOR COMING OVER THERE AND HOLDING A STUPID TOY IN FRONT OFHER FACE - SO HE COULD NOT EVEN RECOGNIZE HER - MY MASTIFF HATED STUFF LIKE THAT I'M SURE THIS HORNY DRUGGED PROTECTIVE POOR CHIMP WAS THE REAL VICTIM IN THIS CASE - HE WAS VICTIMIZED THE ENTIRE TIME - IF HE WAS A REAL CHILD SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL FOR ALL THE THINGS SHE DID TO HIM.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"So why would an allegedly acclimated chimpanzee turn on a humanespecially one whom he had known?"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHmmm... the first thing that ocurred to me is to edit the above quote from the article to be: "So why would an allegedly acclimated human turn on a [another] humanespecially one whom he had known?" And, the possible range of answers suddenly becomes significantly less mystifying!
Switching the view option to newest-oldest works seems to help
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhatever the cause of attack, it is interesting to note that even wild animals are becoming misogynists.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe SciAm.com homepage, and the headline of this article, state that there are 46 comments associated with this article, but only 10 are displayed. Is this a common problem here?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishow terribly sad, what an awful creation man has made of the planet. as cute as baby animals are, as much as we anthropomorphize animals, as much as we wish to bond with a wild creature....we just can't. indeed, we MUSTN'T. undomesticated animals belong in the wild, free to live their lives as denizens of the planet. we have no right to imprison them for selfish amusement or even utilitarian purposes or for medical or psychological experimentation purposes. i shall NEVER forget how terrible i felt at a sea world decades ago, when a female orca, very heavy with child, was forced to leap through the air just for the amusement of a bunch of insensitive humans. i want to make a t-shirt with a picture of the planet and animals perched atop...w/ caption: god should have stopped at the primates..... as for me, always count me in as being on the animal's side.....
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI agree with MattLovesScience, I would like to read why chimps are so strong. Is it the actual muscles, the leverage or what?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAnimals like these should be protected from the vileness of humanity!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSee at the bottom of the 10 messages. You click on 11-20 and you see the next 10 and so on.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thismy heart goes out to this lady, she loved her pet, and we have been made afraid of nature and killer bees, Steve was who wrestled alligators for a living* was eaten by a stingray....Siefried&Roy had beautiful cats, trained if you can believe that, so let's kill em all. This was tragic, and her heart was so broken, and changed her life forever....the call was no different than one of a drunk man beating on a woman she loves?!, the animals can't dial 911. Mark Twain said: if you feed a hungry dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you, THAT is the difference between man and dog. My heart so goes out to this lady, we all know how painful the loss of our loved ones is.....i'm sending love to the lady, hope she doesn't hurt so bad, and the lady who was biten will recover and we should tell them they are not alone. Pat P.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisvery well articulated.... if they share 98% of our DNA then it follows that they are somewhat conscious of the slavery they are being forced to endure. nobody asked them if they were ready willing to leave the jungle. we unilaterally imposed our will on them... of course the time will come when something will happen to make them snap.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe(humans and chimpanzees and gorillas and orangutans) would be wise to ape the Bonobos.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI came up with this thought. When the human victim put that toy in front of her face...the chimp thought she was saying "This is what you look like...I am much better looking than you. Then in a jealous rage the chimp attempted to pull off her face! Perhaps the chimp was already Jealous of her because the chimp wanted his owners full attention for himself.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI would suggest contacting the Dog Whisperer "Caesar Milan" on National Geographics Cable Channel, to see if he can make some intellegent comments.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYes we are more evolved. The fact that some of you hold up human beings, and contrast it to chimp behavior, to an ethical standard which you, the human, judge us as failing to reach (all the crime and violence in the world) demonstrates this fact. Humans have ethics. Chimps don't. That is why we are responsible for our actions.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYes we are more evolved. The fact that some of you hold up human behavior, and contrast it to chimp behavior, to an ethical standard which you, the human, judge us as failing to reach (all the crime and violence in the world) demonstrates this fact. Humans have ethics. Chimps don't. That is why we are responsible for our actions. We all know the results of irresponsible behavior all too well.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMost animals should not be kept as pets. I don't know why some people feel the need to treat animals like fellow human beings. I think those people have a problem with sound judgment.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIts obvious that most animals should not be kept as pets. Why can't some people figure that out? We have our ways and they have their ways. People who try to make animals into humans or playthings have issues.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI agree, my heart goes out to the owner, but some accountability needs to be taken here. Travis's owner likely knew he was agressive and troubled. There is a level of responsbility here on the owner. Even a dog owner is responsible when their dog attacks. If the dog bites once, they are warned. If the dog bites or attacks again, the owner is legally responsible. In this case BITTEN does not describe what happened. The victim was MAULED.. she has no face and her hands were nearly ripped off. She was not "bitten".... she will be disfigured for the rest of her life, if she survives. My heart definitely goes out to the victim and her family, and to the owner who was likely traumatized for the rest of her life. Very sad for everyone. That chimp is also a victim. He needed to be amongst others of his kind. This is very sad indeed.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWE did not evolve..... we have been and were genetically altered.. humans being so close to chimps and then saying we evolved.... I dont think so. the DNA can mutate but not evolve to what we are now. they have 48 chromosomes and we have 46
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf you've ever seen the behavior of male chimpanzees in the wild, it's not so hard to understand why this particular chimp acted so violently. Male chimps band together and frequently go on 'rampages', where they scream and hoot and shriek, crashing through the forest hitting everything in their path, breaking branches and trees, throwing rocks, sometimes hitting each other. It's quite a terrifying sight - these are big, powerful, aggressive animals. They don't hurt anybody during these rampages (which can occur several times a day), but it's a good outlet for their aggression and strength. They get to blow off steam by rampaging with the guys. Travis never got to do this - no matter how much his human owner may have loved him and showered him with cuddles and cookies, none of this could possibly change his essentially wild nature. If male chimps in the wild do this rampaging several times a day, to display to each other and to blow off aggressive energy and Travis was prevented from doing any of this, it's not surprising at all that he became violent. His owner was quoted as calling this a 'freak accident' but it was no such thing.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWow,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI dont know a lot about chimps but I really think it not a good idea to have one in your home.
I totally agree.The chimp should be with other chimps.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisjasper deeter i fell ur comment was really racist about black people
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisjasper deeter i feel ur comment was really racist
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWell, I'm not defending the chimp or anything, but ... lol. Is living with a human any safer? We can criticize this "wild animal" (which oh happens to be 98% like us), but it should all give us a good look at ourselves. Are we humans, really any better?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf you think so just look at the news! Many humans are plenty more dangerous than a chimp! Add in a intelligence and tools, and you have really really sick things happening.
It's not anormal that this happens, or even surprising. I'm not even adding to it the impact of drugs!
I know that CayleeMom is the worst mother in America right now. But I'm having a hard time deciding who is number 2...Chimp Mom or OctoMom?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe 98% identical DNA is misleading. Another 5% or more is meaningless, and you don't take into account the epigenome, which is like a system for triggering genes into or out of action. In reality, we are nowhere near 98% the same as chimps, physically or genetically.
I think the most interesting thing is how everyone tolerated this woman's delusion when we all really know deep down that it was wrong and dangerous. There was a cat in my neighborhood that attacked my daughter, sending her to the emergency room for stitches on her face and chest. I learned my lesson and a week later I saw a sign for the "lost" cat. I would never allow such a dangerous animal as a chimp to be in my neighborhood. The only difference between a cat and a chimp is the calibre you need to kill it.
In this case the victim was as stupid as the owner, but the victim will end up owning everything that belongs to her former friend.
Yes we are better than chimps. God created us better but only if we follow God's ways through Jesus Christ. There is no evilution. Thats a brainwashing from the atheistic, god hating people unfortunately
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thiseddyleebass...I don't have to hate your god because I know that he doesn't exist. Take your illiterate lack of knowledge back to the pews where you belong and leave our forum to those who are educated. Look who's brainwashed!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thiswhy are chimpanzees considered pets? hasnt anyone heard the term "wild anima;" before? obviously was pestering the creature, i mean if i was being treated by a species that is merely 2% different from myself i would be pissed to. TEAM TRAVIS.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"There is no evilution"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCompletely correct - evolution, on the other hand, is why I can spell...
I've seen a number of replies suggesting that because this woman allowed the chimp to sleep in her bed there was "something more" going on. Personally I doubt it and without some evidence certainly would not add to what is already a tragic situation.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNow that being said; whether or not there was actual sexual contact the chimp being male (and a teen) probably had territorial/ownership feelings due to living constantly with this woman. As it has been said chimps are VERY territorial and maintain harems where the lesser males are usually run out and males from other tribes are killed outright.
But I think people are making a big deal about "wild animals" this was NOT a wild animal this was a domesticated animal who misbehaved.
If you had a human who was retarded to the mental level of a chimp and possessed a chimps strength and teeth the same thing could have happened.
People like to try to differentiate between "wild" and "domesticated" animals.
There is no such real distinction unless you are talking about an individual. A wild animal is an animal that grew up in the wild. A domestic animal is one that was raised around (and trained) by humans. Some animals are more trainable than others. Some have a more violent disposition than others and some (like chimps, big cats, large snakes etc.) are simply too powerful to have as pets.
Take a simple example: a house cat and a tiger. Both are cats and both are predators. But when a house cat bite and claws someone it isn't fatal. Also there is a simple element of fear and survival that prevents it (usually) from making a serious attack against a human who out-weighs it by a factor of 20.
In the end animals really aren't meant to live in houses. We have bred a number of animals who would survive outside but these are all aberrations to satisfy the desires of humans who want a living toy.
Our society has grown too far apart. We are no longer one people or even a collection of groups. We have become a vast collection of individuals and rather than build bonds with our fellow citizens (or even in most cases now within our own families) we turn to pets as affection/relationship surrogates using them to replace the natural desires for friends, family and children.
Pets we control. Pets who, if we get too unhappy with, we can discard. Human relationships are far more complex and require a lot more risk and a lot more effort. It's time we got away from having pets and started spending more time with the people around us.
There is so much self loathing in a lot of comments, like humans are vicious etc. and we are worse than chimps, or "god" should have stopped at primates, etc. All of you self haters forget that we are animals. As far a cruelty goes, have you ever seen a cat "play" with a mouse before eating it? Aren't chimps cruel when they kill and eat infant monkeys? There is cruelty in nature. Animals do what they do. We are more evolved so take responsibly for our behavior. Chimps, can't. Just like a child can't. The responsiboty for Travis' behavior rests on the owner. But don't forget that we are part of nature. As long as we set ourselves against it, as many comments display, we will create disasters.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisi just want to register. Chimps are animals not humans. Tough luck. Lions eat their keepers too. What's new?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisChimps attack humans because they feel cheated. As one chimp said to another, "How come evolution worked for our zoo keeper and not for us."
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisChimps attack humans because they feel cheated. As one chimp said to another, "How come evolution worked for our zoo keeper and not for us."
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSaid a third Chimp, "Maybe, we have always been like that.'
Said a forth Chimp, "I think you must be the first Chimp creationist."
Said chimp 3, "Yes, I only believe in what I can see."
Said the attack chimp, "Not me, I have imagination and faith, that we will eventually catch up - I'm angry it's taking so long."
I think it was foolish of the owner to giver he chimpanzee Xanax laced tea. I said it before and I'll say it again. You can not make a wild animal a pet. It is impossible. They are always 100% likely to attack their owners. It's not about if the chimp will attack, it's when the chimp will attack. This goes for all wild animals.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt seems to me that the an issue to discuss from this tragedy is why some state allows wild animals to be kept at home in the first place. When you leave the decision to own a wild animal up to the discretion of an individual, a tragedy becomes foreseeable, if not predictable. When tragedies occur, as here, people search for an appropriate response - possible criminal prosecution against the owner, certainly civil liability against the owner (and possibly others). A more beneficial long term objective should be for state legislatures to forbid ownership of wild animals in private residences or otherwise strictly regulate it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhy would a human attack a chimpanzee? Why wouldn't it?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe only animals that are reluctant to do so are those that have been domesticated over thousands of years, and even then, dog attacks, even the basically retarded livestock will have a go at you if you irritate them. Animals are not meat-bags with feet, they're aware of what's going on around them. They may not understand all the nuances of every situation, but that only makes them more likely to behave unpredictably.
Mankinds "dominion" over the other species sounds nice to us, but exists only in our shallowest perception.
"reminders that the animals have at least one big difference: brute strength. "
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThat has to be one of the most silly statements I've ever read. And in a "science" publication? Chimps' only difference to humans is "brute strength"?? Um, what about the fact that they are animals? Or what about their animalistic savagery? Brutality? Extreme violence? Or relative lack of intelligence and can't talk or create like human beings. And, um, they look a little bit different than people, too.
to: jasper deeter
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisthe fact is chimps have a tendency to hurt or kill on a regular bases that's why their illegal in my state(uh Tennessee) so i wouldn't go on saying that if i were you.
chimps eating babies
http://www.igorilla.com/gorilla/animal/2004/monkeys-attack0human-babies.html
http://www.campussqueeze.com/post/Horrifying-Stories-Where-Animals-Eat-Babies.aspx
and there are a LOT of cases where a chimps will go crazy bit off fingers or eat peoples faces and don't even warn or work themselves up as you describing. the truth most pets can't do it cause they don't know how to be a wild chimp.
christy from tenn
to: jasper deeter
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisthe fact is chimps have a tendency to hurt or kill on a regular bases that's why their illegal in my state(uh Tennessee) so i wouldn't go on saying that if i were you.
chimps eating babies
http://www.igorilla.com/gorilla/animal/2004/monkeys-attack0human-babies.html
http://www.campussqueeze.com/post/Horrifying-Stories-Where-Animals-Eat-Babies.aspx
and there are a LOT of cases where a chimps will go crazy bit off fingers or eat peoples faces and don't even warn or work themselves up as you describing. the truth most pets can't do it cause they don't know how to be a wild chimp.
christy from tenn
sorry i posted twice that was a accident
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe owner wasn't exactly the smartest decisions. She gave the Chimp drugs to calm it down. However, that drug has been knows to cause aggression in humans. And considering that chimp's DNA is like 98% similar to us. There is no doubt that it would go crazy. A Gorilla is roughly 5 times stronger than some of those weight lifting guys (200 kg vs 1 1000 kg). Even though Chimps are not as strong as Gorillas, that Ape was huge. Bigger than human. And plus, they don't have the frontal lobe power to hold back.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe owner wasn't exactly the smartest decisions. She gave the Chimp drugs to calm it down. However, that drug has been knows to cause aggression in humans. And considering that chimp's DNA is like 98% similar to us. There is no doubt that it would go crazy. A Gorilla is roughly 5 times stronger than some of those weight lifting guys (200 kg vs 1 1000 kg). Even though Chimps are not as strong as Gorillas, that Ape was huge. Bigger than human. And plus, they don't have the frontal lobe power to hold back.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe owner wasn't exactly the smartest decisions. She gave the Chimp drugs to calm it down. However, that drug has been knows to cause aggression in humans. And considering that chimp's DNA is like 98% similar to us. There is no doubt that it would go crazy. A Gorilla is roughly 5 times stronger than some of those weight lifting guys (200 kg vs 1 1000 kg). Even though Chimps are not as strong as Gorillas, that Ape was huge. Bigger than human. And plus, they don't have the frontal lobe power to hold back.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPeople should know by now that chimps are dangerous all animals are even the human species.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNinety-eight percent like us.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThey are almost as violent as us too.
If we had teeth like them, more deaths would be ascribed to bite than gun.
i also find this question very interesting... my guess would be maybe because their muscles have less fatty issue in them... interesting about pigs - are their muscles also much stronger than humans... relative muscle strength in animals would be such an interesting research subject. Also like relative brain powers - does the size of the brain really matters that much
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe lady who gotten her face mutilated probably was yelling, or talking loudly to Travis' owner. This is most likely what provoked him. And chimps will tend to rip off, or bite off the part of the body in which the person who gets attacked used to attack or abuse or whatever it may be to the person or other chimp it cares for most. So essentially he was only defending his owner, I think he should have been tranqulized and moved to a sancuary or wildlife reserve.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisit probably wasn't the drug that caused the attack. Most like owner was being loudly talked to and Travis saw this as an attack and saw it coming from her mouth and defended the owner by riping off the mouth.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPoor thing had Lyme disease. The pain involved is excruciating and neurological damage and symptoms come and go as if in a fog. You would try or at least investigate Xanax as a means of calming an inflamed system if this happened to you even if you were anti Big Pharma; it hurts that bad and paralysis of major systems of the body cause you to seek solutions beyond current methods which are failures whether by method or denial Lyme disease exists. Here is the hidden pandemic. The hierarchy here is all messed up. Happy to see this woman remained calm and acted with reason and compassion. Most people would react in anger and present with regressive, juvenile behaviour. I wonder if maybe we gave the poor chimp something he could not shake.
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