St Louis boy attacked by Chimpanzees in Johannesburg...

[ame]

That boy is a good friend of my brother. It isn't sounding good for his prognosis and he's not going to be able to fly home for treatment and rehab most likely. He has lost his left arm, all of his toes and both ears. I believe his uncle relayed to my mom that he has serious infection too.

Please keep his family and him in your thoughts

 

[Missy]

Oh no Ame, I am so sorry this happened- how awful! That poor boy and his family. Sending healing dust his way and keeping him in my thoughts and prayers. May he make as complete a recovery as possible and go on to live a full and happy life.

 

[justginger]

Oh my goodness, what a devastating situation! Honestly, I love the idea of seeing monkeys, but they can be terribly violent. I avoid all monkey-related tourist places, especially in SE Asia. I have no doubt he'll have serious infections from the bacterial flora of a chimpanzee mouth - like human bites, they're filthy. I hope he's getting excellent care in SA and manages to recover to the point he can be medivaced - and moreso, I hope he's got good travel insurance to pay for it all as well.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Wow. It is with emotion that I read your post--had my own experiences with monkeys in SE Asia in a Zoo....sending healing vibes their way...

kind regards--Sharon

 

[ame]

Oh my goodness, what a devastating situation! Honestly, I love the idea of seeing monkeys, but they can be terribly violent. I avoid all monkey-related tourist places, especially in SE Asia. I have no doubt he'll have serious infections from the bacterial flora of a chimpanzee mouth - like human bites, they're filthy. I hope he's getting excellent care in SA and manages to recover to the point he can be medivaced - and moreso, I hope he's got good travel insurance to pay for it all as well.

My brother is hoping to get more info, or my mom, but I know since he works at the Goodall facility he will have everything covered and handled. I really hope that he makes it through and can rehab and have a normal life. Personally I am not sure if I would want to survive such a thing, and I REALLY hope he was unconscious for most of it. Poor kid. They went separate directions for college and are not as close like they were, but they still talked now and then so I know my brother is totally freaked.

 

[Gypsy]

What the heck? OMG. Prayers outgoing. And dust.

How old is this boy? What was he doing near chimps? And how many got to him? And why did they maul him?

 

[Gypsy]

Here are a few articles: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57463615/jane-goodall-institute-chimpanzee-mauling-at-south-africa-sanctuary-leaves-american-critical/

http://abcnews.go.com/International/andrew-oberle-chimp-attack-victim-standing-restricted-area/story?id=16689076

http://abcnews.go.com/International/chimp-attack-texas-graduate-student-andrew-oberle-fights/story?id=16683989

"Oberle, suffered huge cuts to his head and face. The mauling left his skull and facial bones exposed.

The vicious attack left Oberle with injures over his entire body. His right upper arm is broken, while his lower right arm muscle and ligaments are torn and exposed to the bone. Oberle's left arm was mauled and he lost fingers on both hands.

One testicle was ripped off and he suffered deep lacerations to both legs and lost several toes." That poor guy.

 

[ame]

Yea he lost his left arm, toes, both ears and so forth as mentioned, plus massive infection. He is 26. He got drug for a half mile...insane. That kid has a hard road of recovery.

I thought I had posted the link to the local paper/news, but I am glad you did for me. As far as I know his mom has arrived, his dad is en route. I really hope he can recover. Unreal. Absolutely insane.

 

[Gypsy]

He lost one of his testicles too, according to the articles.

 

[ame]

He lost one of his testicles too, according to the articles.

Yea I had not heard that besides the article, but that's not unlikely. My mom/the moms is getting updates from his family along the way, prior to the release of media updates.

I guess at this age he IS a man, but he's still a little kid to us. A boy. He is SUCH a nice kid.

 

[sonnyjane]

I'm so sorry! I am a zookeeper and we were discussing this story yesterday in the lunch room. Last week, a male chimp at the LA zoo (not my facility) killed a baby chimp on exhibit and the public was criticizing the keepers for not going into the enclosure and saving the baby, but as the incident in Johannesburg demonstrates, they are very dangerous animals and you absolutely cannot let your guard down around them. Very sad

ETA: here is a link to the zoo story: http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-la-zoo-chimp-killed,0,2449255.story

 

[Laila619]

Oh god, this is so sad. I'm praying for him, what a horrific tragedy.

 

[iheartscience]

Wow, how awful-I hope he can recover quickly.

 

[ame]

I'm so sorry! I am a zookeeper and we were discussing this story yesterday in the lunch room. Last week, a male chimp at the LA zoo (not my facility) killed a baby chimp on exhibit and the public was criticizing the keepers for not going into the enclosure and saving the baby, but as the incident in Johannesburg demonstrates, they are very dangerous animals and you absolutely cannot let your guard down around them. Very sad

Yea I saw that Cussons guy saying something about being too relaxed around them being dangerous and they know when you're relaxed. I think they said something that the two animals were showing signs of remorse, which is fascinating. I really hope he makes it and has an ok quality of life, but man those injuries just do not sound promising! Stable is good, critical not so much.

 

[Haven]

How terrible. I hope he has a speedy recovery.

 

[junebug17]

Oh no, this is just so awful - his life is never going to be the same - I hope he can get to a place where he can have a decent quality of life, but my god, he has a rough road ahead - this is just heartbreaking.

 

[GliderPoss]

My gosh that is just so awful! I am sending my prayers and sympathies to the your friend and his family.

Confess I have always had a deathly fear of all monkey/chimps/apes and refused to see them even on TV - too smart and scary for my liking!!!

 

[Tuckins1]

I am so sorry to hear this. I truly hope he makes the best recovery possible, as quickly as possible!

 

[ame]

There hasn't been a whole lot of change, unfortunately. I sure hope he can make a recovery, and that his life is normal. I get chills every time I think of him, or hear any news. I cannot even imagine how his family is feeling.

 

[kenny]

OMG what a horrid story.
I'm so sorry this happened!

 

[GemFever]

I heard on the news today that he may have stabilized enough to start treatment and have the bone fractures attended to. I really hope this is true, and that he makes a good recovery and can get medevaced soon. He is pretty young, and young bodies are capable of surprising recoveries and quick healing. Really hoping this will he the case with him!

 

[armywife13]

I saw this in the news over the weekend, how sad. Definitely keeping him and his family in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[partgypsy]

How terrible and traumatizing. I can think of practically nothing worse happen to someone. Sadly, probably the only thing more dangerous than a wild animal is a feral animal, a wild animal who has had contact with human beings

 

[ame]

I heard on the news today that he may have stabilized enough to start treatment and have the bone fractures attended to. I really hope this is true, and that he makes a good recovery and can get medevaced soon. He is pretty young, and young bodies are capable of surprising recoveries and quick healing. Really hoping this will he the case with him!

Yea my mom just relayed to us that he was lowered from critical or whatever condition and they're going to get him going. I don't know if that means moving him yet though. I cannot imagine the pain.

 

[Snicklefritz]

Terrifying, horrifying, sickening The physical recuperation sounds insurmountable. I don't even want to think about the psychological toll this has taken on him. I hope his resilient spirit stays with him throughout his recovery.