Biologist Warned of Chimp Attack

A newly revealed memo shows a Connecticut biologist voiced concerns that a chimpanzee who mauled a woman last month could seriously hurt someone if he felt threatened.

The two-page memo was written on Oct. 28, 2008 by an unnamed biologist at the Department of Environmental Protection. The memo was given to senior staff at the agency's Bureau of Natural Resources, who reviewed it but determined there was no specific mention of violent incidents involving the chimp, named Travis.

The memo was recently discovered during an internal review.

Charla Nash was critically injured Feb. 16 in Stamford when she was attacked by the 200-pound chimp, owned by her friend, Sandra Herold.

The memo said it was unclear whether Herold's enclosure for Travis was strong enough to secure the animal.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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