The chimpanzee has strength for a human that is utterly incomprehensible. But in captivity, they have learned in the meantime that they are stronger than humans. So, really wild chimps don't attack people. That's why Jane Goodall had to habituate them. This was a sort of free-ranging chimp, which is much more dangerous.īut chimps in the wild are not used to people-they're afraid of them. The reason we have them behind bars in zoos and research settings is because chimpanzees can be very dangerous-it's to protect ourselves. But it has happened to many of the best scientists and researchers, who are now missing digits. It happens more often with people they don't know very well and people who aren't familiar with chimpanzees. Most of the time they attack through cage bars.

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.Īre captive chimpanzee attacks on humans common? To find out more about chimpanzee attacks, we spoke with Frans de Waal, lead biologist from the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. Travis’ owner claims to have given him a Xanax-laced tea the day of the attack. 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. 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. 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. 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.Ĭhimpanzees, with a genetic profile that's 98 percent like ours, can seem like cute, hairy iterations of people. 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. The chimp, Travis, who was shot and killed by police officers at the scene, was apparently a friendly fixture around the neighborhood. The victim remains in critical condition. The owner, Sandra Herold, who tried to stop the attack, was also injured and briefly hospitalized. “An animal that is too focused on humans is less respected by its peers,” Lafaut said.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. She added that Chita has been shunned by the other animals and sits alone outside zoo visiting hours because he spends too much time with humans. “When Chita is constantly surrounded by visitors, the other animals ignore him and don’t consider him part of the group,” she said. Spokeswoman Sarah Lafaut also told ATV that being surrounded by visitors is making it difficult for Chita to integrate with the other primates. Timmermans why we ask this from her (and all our visitors) and why it is better for Chita himself. “We asked Mrs Timmermans to let him be a chimpanzee among chimpanzees and not to stay with him for too long nor attract his attention. But, for his own health, he has to be part of the chimpanzee group as much as possible,” the spokesperson added. “Because he is an exception, he was raised with humans and came to the ZOO almost 30 years ago, he is still fond of humans. Since then, he has had issues integrating into the zoo’s chimpanzee troupe and got into a fight with them in 2008.

Chita has to focus on the other chimpanzees as much as possible, he has to be part of the group for his own wellbeing.”Īccording to a Dutch daily newspaper De Gelderlander, Chita was once kept as a pet but was given to the zoo 30 years ago because his behaviour was difficult to manage. “We only asked her to change her behaviour if Chita is near and she tries to catch his attention or the other way around. Antwerp Zoo denied that it had banned Timmermans, but said it had asked her to “change her behaviour”.Ī spokesperson told indy100: “Every visitor can still visit and see Chita if they want, included Mrs.

Chimpanzee rips face off of woman