Andrew F. Oberle, Texas Student Attacked By Chimps In South Africa, Improves

JOHANNESBURG -- Doctors are reporting improvement in the condition of an American graduate student attacked by chimps he was studying in South Africa.

In a statement, Mediclinic Nelspruit said Andrew F. Oberle, who had been in critical condition since Thursday's attack, was stable enough Sunday for doctors to bring him into the operating room to clean and stitch his multiple bites and attend to fractures and other injuries.

Oberle remains in intensive care, but is no longer in critical condition.

Two chimpanzees at the Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Eden in eastern South Africa pulled Oberle under a fence into their enclosure.

Oberle, 26, is studying anthropology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He was on his second study visit to the sanctuary for abused and orphaned chimpanzees.

Comments

[SPYWITNESS]

03:51 PM on 07/04/2012

stop your squabbling! nobody's attacking Oberle, he made the simple mistake of becoming too comfortable with familiarity, and chimps being territorial, often resent this, especially since they are somewhat "confined". People have their hearts in the right place, but often forget that the inherent behavior always trumps domesticity of any wild animal. Jane Goodall has never been attacked because she knows the signals and signs of stress in the chimps. The good news, is he'll recover, and do the "Talk Show" circuit, then write a book!

[Lucy Mouse Head]

05:38 PM on 07/03/2012

Hey,people! Leave those chimps alone.

[n3542576]

11:43 AM on 07/03/2012

Let's hope the young man recovers to the extent possible and quickly. That said, given the level a danger there should have been someone there with a gun at the ready to intervene in light of the extreme danger if a chimp gets his hands on a human.

[millsrb3]

06:37 AM on 07/03/2012

You must be careful of all animals, including 2 legged animals.

[ConservativeAmongWolves]

06:36 AM on 07/03/2012

Not one word of sympathy for this guy in the posts on this page. All about the chimps....another Lefty priority expose.

[BETGR627]

08:47 AM on 07/03/2012

What kind of person are you - to make assumptions that people don't care based on the people that post here.

I feel sad for the young man who was hurt - but that probably doesn't make a difference to you as long as you can insult people you don't agree with.

[ConservativeAmongWolves]

12:01 PM on 07/03/2012

I just read the first page of posts.....ALL attacking the guy. Poor Poor Chimps.

[ArborialBiped]

09:14 AM on 07/03/2012

Well, somebody woke up on the wrong side of the cave today!

[ConservativeAmongWolves]

12:05 PM on 07/03/2012

Ug! Me kraanky! Me drag woman by haar to fyre!

[gorgol]

05:50 AM on 07/03/2012

Oberle, after he recovers, should be sent home and never allowed to return. He put everyones life in danger. What was he doing going over the "no mans" fence?? showing off to visitors, that's what he was doing. The news said he was trying to retrieve a rock that he thought the chimps may pick up and throw. Nice try Oberle. YOU"RE FIRED.

[Jinni]

11:09 PM on 07/02/2012

I have been fortunate enough to visit several game reserves in Africa. I noticed that the African conservationists and game wardens do not relate to animals the same way as their foreign counterparts. Most of the visiting conservationists, anthropologists etc tend to romanticize these animals and never seem to have the respect and fear that they should. I cannot tell you how many have been eaten by the very animals they befriended. Once a zebra strayed onto private property,the game wardens wanted to use a tranquilizer gun to subdue it and release to the wild. An American lady who ran an orphaned animal shelter within the game reserve asked them not to use the gun since she recognized the zebra as one she had rescued and was confident she could lead it out. The wardens urged her not to do it but she was persistent so they let her.....the Zebra kicked the living daylights out of her and they had to shoot it to save her life. I always advice anyone who plans to visit a game reserve in Africa to ensure that their tour van has an armed game warden

[NickaRay]

07:12 AM on 07/11/2012

I agree with you...as a student in veterinary school soon..and someone that wants to work in Africa I can say that even though I'm excited about it I do want to be very educated in the precautions and what is necessary to not just protect the animal's life, but mine as well. I mean some things aren't avoidable, but you can absolutely take the best precautions to ensure that it isn't you not using your common sense that ends up getting you attacked and/or killed by the very living being you are trying to help. I'm sure the people that are from there and that do work around the animals there know more than I ever can just from growing up there so I will most certainly use and instill what they know and what they teach me.

[Jinni]

08:22 PM on 07/11/2012

I really hope you have the chance to work with animals in Africa ...good luck in your endeavors

[sitat]

10:39 PM on 07/02/2012

There were 2 fences separating Mr. Oberle's group from the chimps. Mr Oberle jumped over the first fence into the "no go" channel between the 2 fences. Mr Oberle committed a 2nd mistake, getting to close to that 2nd fence, and a chimp grabbed this foot and dragged him under this electric fence into their enclosure. This is what the news is reporting. My understanding is that this is Mr. Oberle's 2nd year at the compound. Everyone is puzzeled as to why he jumped the 1st fence and entered the "no go" area.

[North of Toronto]

10:23 PM on 07/02/2012

Reminds me of the samsonite commercial where the gorilla supposedly can't get into the suitcase. Turns out the gorilla crushed the suitcase so they gave it to a chimp - that almost crushed it. Take a big piece of land (100,000 Ha) and give it to the chimps. Don't go in and if they come out - well, they'll learn.

[North of Toronto]

10:16 PM on 07/02/2012

Never trust an animal that is smarter and stronger than you. Now, if my cat would only let me go...

[North of Toronto]

10:13 PM on 07/02/2012

It's sad that even the people trying to protect the chimps treat them like pets.

[DismayedRepub]

08:59 PM on 07/02/2012

I hear it was a territorial inequality thing.

[jgdyogiangel]

08:25 PM on 07/02/2012

Anytime you work with wild animals and aren't behind a wall or enclosure and are in their territory they are in control not you. And this can and does happen. Lions, bears, tigers, etc. all have been known to attack even their beloved trainer and friend and kill them. They are wild for a reason.

[rlmyrtlb]

08:00 PM on 07/02/2012

My God! Amadeus and Nikki went after Cussons! From what read Cussons parked 150 feet from the chimps and fired three shots, two into the air, and one into the ground, and they left the kid they were mauling, and charged Eugene's vehicle.

Nikki jumped on the hood and was trying to smash the window and Eugene shot him, and at that point Amadeus backed down. Had heard one of the chimps was injured and I felt it was Nikki.

From what recall, Nikki was kept in a trailer in Italy, and his hair shaved, and forced to emulate a human child. Some woman who probably thought she was rescuing the male young'un.

As the Primate specialist Japanese professor told us, and I will always believe him....CHIMPS BELONG IN TREES!

[sushi27]

05:52 AM on 07/03/2012

Yes, I too was shocked to hear it was Amadeus and Nikki - they must have felt threatened.

[rlmyrtlb]

08:36 AM on 07/05/2012

Did not remember correctly! Viewed Escape To Chimp Eden this a.m., and Nikki was maltreated, forced to emulate a human child, but his caretaker was a man. Believe it was Cozi who was raised in the same fashion, and in a trailer in Italy by a woman. I DO remember Eugene Cussons saying he thought Cozi was a few sandwiches short of a picnic.
This a.m. Claudette was introduced to the group, Nikki knew her immediately, and why not! She was his big flame and they produced an offspring. Unfortunately the baby chimp was thrown against a tree and did not survive.

[Noble9]

06:56 PM on 07/02/2012

Don't let those chimps get ahold of that virus from Rise of the Planet of the Apes.