Experts warn: wild animals not fit to be pets

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KEENESBURG - After a 14-year-old chimpanzee raised in a Connecticut home attacked the owner's friend, The Wild Animal Sanctuary is among many organizations warning such animals are not meant to be kept in homes.

"Travis" the chimp was shot and killed by police Monday in Stamford after he attacked the face of 55-year-old Charla Nash. Nash is making slight progress after more than seven hours of surgery, but doctors say it she has a long battle ahead.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg takes in wild animals from all over the country that owners realize they can't handle as pets.

The sanctuary houses 75 tigers, 55 bears, and 32 wolves. Pat Craig is the sanctuary's executive director.

"They get them and they're very cute and cuddly and in a short matter of time the lions and tigers grow so fast and so quick they actually get out of control a lot sooner than what a chimpanzee would. And at that point you're faced with an animal that's up to eight times stronger than you are and if they're not in a cage then you're going to have some serious ramifications," Craig said.

"All these animals are impossible to own over the long term," Craig said. "Sure, you could do it for a short period of time, but eventually they're all going to end in catastrophe like this chimpanzee if you don't have them in the places where they belong, either in the wild or the few that are in captivity in facilities like this or a zoo. It's just a matter of time."