A first responder likened the scene to a grizzly bear attack as they described the brutal injuries sustained by St. James Davis. Contrary to initial perceptions, the former NASCAR driver was not attacked by a 600lb bear but by two agitated chimpanzees that had escaped their enclosure.
The incident occurred on March 3, 2005, at an animal sanctuary in California where St. James was visiting Moe, a chimp he had raised from infancy, to celebrate the chimp’s 39th birthday. As St. James and his wife LaDonna were about to share Moe’s birthday cake inside the enclosure, two younger male chimps named Buddy and Ollie suddenly appeared, with one of them launching an aggressive assault on the couple.
In a bid to shield his wife, St. James bravely confronted the chimps. Despite his efforts, the chimps inflicted severe injuries on him, including gouging out his eye, tearing off his nose, biting his hand, and causing extensive facial damage. The frenzied attack lasted over five minutes, during which the chimps continued their vicious assault, even biting off St. James’ buttocks and genitals.
The rescue efforts involved using a water hose to deter the chimps, followed by Mark Carruthers shooting the younger chimp with a gun. Despite the initial shooting, the attack persisted until Mark returned with more powerful ammunition, ultimately killing the older chimp and ending the assault.
St. James suffered life-altering injuries, spending six months in the hospital and undergoing over 60 surgeries in the subsequent years. His face was significantly disfigured, requiring the use of prosthetics. He lost most of his fingers and faced the possibility of amputation for his damaged foot.
An investigation later revealed that the chimps had escaped due to a failure to properly secure their enclosure. Despite the severe injuries, St. James chose not to sue the facility due to the lack of liability insurance. Experts speculated that the chimps’ aggression could have stemmed from jealousy or a territorial defense response.
The tragic incident marked the end of a decades-long bond between St. James and Moe, which began in 1967 when St. James rescued the chimp in Africa. Despite the enduring connection, the aftermath of the attack left St. James with profound physical and emotional scars, impacting his daily life and mobility.
St. James’ story serves as a cautionary tale of the unforeseen dangers that can arise from interactions with wild animals, highlighting the importance of proper safety measures and responsible animal care.