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Travis (chimpanzee)

Travis
Travis chimpanzee.jpg
Species Common chimpanzee
Sex Male
Born October 21, 1995
Festus, Missouri, United States
Died February 16, 2009 (aged 13)
North Stamford, Connecticut, United States
Notable role Pet, animal actor
Known for Attack on Charla Nash
Owner Jerome Herold (deceased)
Sandra Herold (deceased)
Parents Suzy (mother) (deceased)
Weight 200 pounds (91 kg)

Travis (October 21, 1995 – February 16, 2009) was a male common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) who appeared in American television shows and commercials. In February 2009, Travis and his owner Sandra Herold gained international notoriety after he suddenly attacked Herold's friend Charla Nash and grievously mauled her, blinding her while severing her nose, ears, and both hands, and severely lacerating her face. He was subsequently shot dead on the arrival of the police, after trying to attack an officer.

As an animal actor, Travis had appeared in several television commercials, including spots for Coca-Cola and Old Navy. He had also appeared on The Maury Povich Show, The Man Show, and a television pilot that featured Sheryl Crow and Michael Moore.

Travis was born near Festus, Missouri on October 21, 1995, at Mike and Connie Braun Casey's compound, currently named the Missouri Chimpanzee Sanctuary. In a separate incident, Travis' mother Suzy was shot and killed following an escape in 2001. Sandra and Jerome Herold adopted Travis when he was three days old. They raised him at their home at Rock Rimmon Road in the North Stamford section of Stamford, Connecticut. Travis was the Herolds' constant companion and would often accompany them to work and when they went shopping in town. The Herolds owned a towing company, and Travis would pose for photos at the shop and ride with the tow truck, his seatbelt buckled and wearing a baseball shirt. Travis became well known in the town and had been known to greet police officers they would encounter when towing cars.

Having grown up among people, Travis had been socialized to humans since birth. A neighbor said he used to play around with Travis and wrestle with him. He said the animal always knew when to stop and paid close attention to its owner. "He listened better than my nephews", the neighbor said, after Travis had mauled Nash. "I just don't know why he would do that".


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