Exotic Incident #1933
Incident Date:
02/12/2010
Location:
Palm Harbor, FL - USA
Facility Name:
Suncoast Primate Sanctuary
Facility Type:
Non-accredited Facility (RSZ)
Incident Category:
Escape/Attack resulting in human injury (HI)
Species:
Primates
Animal:
Chimpanzee
Animal disposition:
Summary:
A female volunteer as attacked by a chimpanzee. She was bit on the back of the head, her elbow, a broken thumb, and various bites and scratches. The sanctuary refused to allow an officer to come inside the sanctuary to check on the volunteer and took her to the emergency hospital themselves. This sanctuary has been written up on numerous violations by the USDA and for a time had their license revoked.
Action take by Born Free USA:
Notes:
The volunteer later sued the sanctuary for withholding access to medical treatment and for unsafe unconditions.