West Covina, California – A tragic incident at an animal sanctuary on March 3, 2005, led to horrifying injuries for St. James Davis, who was attacked by two chimpanzees while visiting Moe, his longtime companion. The day marked what should have been a joyous celebration for Moe’s 39th birthday, but instead turned into a scene of chaos and terror.

As Davis and his wife, LaDonna, prepared to share a birthday cake with Moe, two younger male chimps, Buddy and Ollie, unexpectedly broke free from their enclosure. Seconds later, the couple found themselves in a life-threatening situation as one of the chimps charged at them. St. James instinctually pushed LaDonna to safety under a picnic table, but the aggression of the chimps quickly targeted him.

Describing the harrowing scene, LaDonna recounted, “As we were falling, the chimp came back around and bit my finger off. There was no time to run.” The couple’s attempt at escape was futile; within moments, St. James was overpowered, enduring an attack that a nearby first responder likened to a bear mauling.

Despite his size and strength at 6 feet 2 inches, St. James was no match for the frenzied chimps, who tore at his face and limbs. Sanctuary owner Virginia Brauer attempted to intervene with a hose, but her efforts were ineffective. It took a desperate decision by her son-in-law, Mark Carruthers, who ultimately shot one of the chimps in a bid to halt the attack. Even then, the assault only ceased after the second chimp was shot and killed.

Moe, who witnessed the brutality unfold, was later found trembling in the corner of his cage, visibly shaken by the violence he had seen. A firefighter on the scene noted the extraordinary nature of the attack, expressing disbelief at the capability of chimpanzees to inflict such severe harm.

For St. James, the aftermath of the attack proved to be a grueling battle. He spent six months recovering in a hospital, much of that time in a coma, and underwent over 60 surgeries in the following years to repair the damage. His injuries transformed his appearance, leaving profound scars and the need for prosthetics, including a glass eye and a nasal implant secured with magnets.

The distressing event triggered an investigation that revealed how the two chimps managed to escape – a door had been left insecurely locked. Even though St. James declined to pursue legal action, citing a lack of health insurance and the sanctuary’s absence of liability coverage, experts posited that the chimps’ behavior might have been a defense of territory or a reaction stemming from previous trauma.

The bond between St. James and Moe, which began in 1967 when St. James rescued the baby chimp in Tanzania, added another layer of tragedy to the incident. Their relationship grew over the years, culminating in a unique family dynamic where Moe even acted as the best man at St. James and LaDonna’s wedding.

In the years following the attack, St. James struggled with his physical limitations and reflected on his life in interviews, lamenting a loss of independence. He spoke fondly of Moe, expressing a deep yearning for their companionship. Tragically, he passed away in 2018 at the age of 75 after cardiac arrest.

As memories of this remarkable bond fade, the tragic events of that fateful day highlight the unpredictability of nature and the complexities of human-animal relationships that can sometimes turn deadly despite the strongest love and affection.