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Chimps Maul US Student at Goodall Sanctuary

Texan loses fingers, part of his ear in South Africa

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 29, 2012 3:39 PM CDT

(Newser) – An American grad student is in critical condition after being attacked by chimpanzees at Jane Goodall's sanctuary in South Africa. The student from the University of San Antonio, Texas, was guiding a group of tourists at the sanctuary for abused chimps when two large males pulled him under a fence into the animals' enclosure, reports AP. He got dragged for about a half-mile, and reportedly lost several fingers and part of an ear in the attack.

"The guy was just too close to the fence," the sanctuary director tells Reuters. The Texas school has identified him as Andrew Oberle, reports the San Antonio Express-News. The South African sanctuary, called Chimp Eden, was founded by famed primatologist Goodall and houses rescued, mistreated animals.

A photograph of chimps from the South African sanctuary, taken in 2011.
A photograph of chimps from the South African sanctuary, taken in 2011.   (AP Photo/Erin Conway-Smith)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 26 comments
HANKHILL
Jun 30, 2012 10:14 AM CDT
just more chimps having a bad day! we all have one!
right2dave
Jun 30, 2012 7:20 AM CDT
Aw...that's a nice photo of B and M in front of the Whitehouse.
chillette
Jun 29, 2012 9:48 PM CDT
He seems like a dedicated and handsome young man who forgot that Chimps are smart and dangerous. This is confusing because supposedly one of the fences or barriers was electrified. Animals shouldn't be in these enclosures but unfortunately they are in danger from reckless hunting. 
 

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