In 1995, Charla Nash’s friend adopted and raised a chimpanzee named Travis. But 14 years later, with no prior history of violence, a horrific attack occurred out of nowhere, captured forever in a 911 call.

Travis the Chimpanzee’s Story

The Charla Nash tragedy happened in 2009 but still sends chills today. The woman was brutally attacked by a chimpanzee who mauled her violently. Consequences left her disabled for life, requiring a face transplant with endless complications.

This occurred in Connecticut, USA. The chimp, Travis, belonged to the victim’s friend Sandra Herold, who adopted him as a baby.

Travis was born October 21, 1995, at a Missouri chimp sanctuary. Sandra and husband Jerome adopted him at 3 days old. The family treated him less like a pet and more like family. They took him shopping, walks; he could use keys, water plants, TV remote. He even turned on computers and drove.

The animal was extremely intelligent. He brushed teeth, ate at the table. They’d given him wine. He starred in commercials and TV shows.

When Jerome died of cancer in 2004 and their son perished in a car crash, Travis became Sandra’s child substitute. But the supposed pet remained a wild animal.

In 2003, when a passerby threw an object hitting Travis’s car, he bolted many blocks. The person escaped, but Travis refused returning—police intervened.

This prompted Connecticut law change: no exotic animals over 22 kg. Yet Travis, at 91 kg with imposing size, stayed with Herold—he’d lived with her years, deemed no danger.

Travis’s Attack

Travis’s Attack

February 16, 2009: 55-year-old Charla Nash visited friend/coworker Sandra (70). Travis knew her but apparently disoriented by her new hairstyle. Grabbing his toy snapped him.

Travis pounced on Nash, attacking mercilessly. During the assault, Sandra desperately called 911, saying a line sounding like sick joke:
“My chimpanzee is eating my friend.”

The 12-minute attack was pitiless. Sandra tried stopping him with shovel, knife—failed. Finally, police shot Travis dead.

Injuries horrific, per doctors. Nash endured 7+ hours face/hand surgery by four teams.

Attack Consequences

Photo of the attack’s aftermath.

Charla Nash lost hands, nose, lips, facial bone structure. Brain trauma, blindness. Family launched fundraiser for massive hospital bill.

Travis’s autopsy: no rabies, but Xanax—tranquilizer Sandra gave him. Effects included disorientation, rarely hallucinations, rage, aggression.

Herold died a year later; Nash won $4M suing her estate.

In recent interviews, Nash described specialized center life:
“Lost much independence. Could change truck tire, now can’t eat alone. Very hard living—not living, half-living. Sometimes want to cry, go out, visit your home. Don’t know my future—that scares me.”

Charla Nash today.

2016: emergency hospitalization for transplant rejection—survived. 2022: advocates banning primates as pets. Sandra’s chilling 911 call below (warning: deeply distressing):

Call 911.

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