Travis (chimpanzee)

Travis (October 21, 1995 – February 16, 2009) was a male chimpanzee who was raised by and lived with Sandra Herold in Stamford, Connecticut. On February 16, 2009, the chimpanzee mauled Herold's friend Charla Nash, severing several body parts and severely lacerating her face, leaving her blind and disfigured. The ape was shot dead by the responding police officer.

The incident received international attention and sparked a debate over the ethics of keeping primates as pets. In the aftermath, the Captive Primate Safety Act was reintroduced to add chimpanzees, among other primates, to the list of "prohibited wildlife species" that cannot be sold or purchased through interstate and foreign sales. The bill died in committee but was reintroduced in 2024 and (as of August 2024) remains before Congress.