Reports: Chimpanzee 'Travis' Mother Shot While In Rage

Mother Chimpanzee Shot After Escaping Ranch
February 23, 2009

WKMG Orlando

STAMFORD, Conn. -- The mother of Travis the chimpanzee was, like her offspring, fatally shot while in a rage, according to published reports.

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Travis made headlines after the chimp was shot by Stamford police after attacking a friend of his owner.Charla Nash, 55, was critically injured in the attack.

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According to published reports, Travis' mother, named Suzy, was shot and killed following an escape and rampage in 2001. Suzy was living on the Missouri ranch where Travis was adopted from by Sandra Herold when he was 3 days old.

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The New York Daily News reported that Suzy was shot by a teenager after escaping the ranch and wreaking havoc. The primate's death reportedly captivated the Missouri town of Festus and led to a trial that ended with the conviction of the chimp's killer.

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Travis went on to live a domestic lifestyle with the Herolds for the next 15 years. He ate fine foods at the Herolds' table and was toilet trained. Herold said Travis combed her hair and they slept in the same bed.

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Nash was transferred from Stamford Hospital to the Cleveland Clinic. The nation's first face transplant was performed at the clinic over two months ago.

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Nash, whom Herold described as her best friend, came to the Rockrimmon Road Monday evening to help Herold calm the chimp down. Herold told police that Travis had been agitated all day and took her keys and let himself out of the house. Herold has given conflicting reports on whether she gave the animal tea laced with Xanax.

The chimpanzee attacked Nash as she exited her vehicle on the property. Police said the attack went on for 12 minutes and that Nash was left with extensive damage to her face and hands.
Responding officers couldn't discern whether Nash was a man or a woman and told dispatchers, "He has no face."

Nash's twin brother, Steve Nash said he will seek guardianship of his sister and her 17-year-old daughter this week. Police haven't said whether charges will be filed in the case.