Victim of Chimp Attack Is Removed From Coma

The 62-year-old man mauled by two chimpanzees in March was taken out of his medically induced coma last week at Loma Linda University Medical Center and is starting a slow recovery, his attorney said.

Meanwhile, the owner of the animal sanctuary where St. James Davis of West Covina was attacked while visiting his pet chimp Moe said she is asking state authorities to find the pet a new home. Davis, 62, and his wife, LaDonna, 64, were visiting the Animal Haven Ranch outside Bakersfield to celebrate Moe’s 39th birthday.

The chimp was taken from the Davis home in 1999 after biting off part of a woman’s finger. While the couple were standing outside Moe’s cage with a birthday cake, two other chimps escaped their cages and attacked them. The attacking chimps chewed off most of St. James Davis’ face, tore off his foot and attacked his limbs and genitals.

Last week, doctors removed the breathing tube from St. James Davis, although he continues to be attached to a feeding tube. Doctors have performed 12 surgeries so far and have slowed the pace of the operations to give him time to heal.