A first responder compared the scene to a grizzly bear attack when discussing the injuries sustained by St. James Davis. Surprisingly, the brutal injuries were not caused by a 600lb bear but by two aggressive chimpanzees that had escaped their enclosure. The incident occurred while St. James was visiting Moe, a chimp he had raised from infancy, at a California animal sanctuary on March 3, 2005, which coincided with Moe’s 39th birthday celebration.
During the visit, as they were about to have birthday cake inside the chimp’s enclosure, two younger male chimps, Buddy and Ollie, unexpectedly appeared. One of the chimps immediately charged at the couple, causing chaos. Despite St. James’ efforts to shield his wife, the chimps attacked viciously. St. James valiantly protected his wife under a picnic table but sustained severe injuries in the process.
Standing at 6ft 2ins, St. James put up a courageous fight against the chimps, but they overwhelmed him, causing extensive damage to his face and body. The prolonged attack lasted over five minutes, with the chimps showing no signs of relenting. The sanctuary owner’s attempt to deter the chimps using a water hose was ineffective. Ultimately, Mark Carruthers, the owner’s son-in-law, had to shoot the chimps to end the assault.
Following the harrowing incident, St. James underwent extensive medical treatment, including numerous surgeries over four years to reconstruct his severely disfigured face and body. Despite the medical interventions, he suffered lasting physical impairments, including the loss of fingers and mobility, needing a wheelchair for movement. St. James faced further reconstructive surgeries for his mouth, dentures, and prosthetic fingers, with the looming prospect of foot amputation.
An investigation revealed that the chimp attack occurred due to the sanctuary’s failure to secure the enclosure properly. Experts speculated that the chimps might have been provoked by jealousy or territorial instincts. The tragic event marked a stark contrast to St. James and Moe’s initial heartwarming connection in 1967, leading to a lifelong bond that ended tragically in 2005.
