Their visit was meant to celebrate Moe’s 39th birthday with cake, but it ended in horror.
As the couple approached Moe’s enclosure, two other chimpanzees broke loose and ambushed them. One of the apes bit off LaDonna’s thumb, while the other inflicted catastrophic injuries on St.
James—gouging out his eye, removing his nose, lips, and portions of his face and body including fingers, buttocks, and even genitals.
The violent onslaught lasted several agonizing minutes until the animals were shot dead. St. James spent months in intensive care, enduring numerous reconstructive surgeries.
He never walked again and remained permanently disfigured and partially blind. Moe, who had lived with the Davises since 1967 and was even present at their wedding, was later transferred to a different facility.
