Chimp Attack Latest in Long Line of Exotic Pet Violence

Two days later, the brutal attack by Travis the chimpanzee remains ingrained in our memories after police released the chilling 911 tape today. Travis' owner, Sandra Herold called police after her beloved chimpanzee turned on her. She hid inside a car in the yard and called 911 even while her friend Charla Nash was being attacked by the chimp.

Herold: Send the police up! With a gun! With a gun! Hurry up!"

911 Operator: "Who has a gun?"

Herold: "Please hurry up. He's killing my girlfriend!"

911 Operator: "Who is killing your friend?"

Herold: "My chimpanzee."

911 Operator: "Oh, your chimpanzee is killing your friend."

Herold: "Yeah. He ripped her apart! Hurry up! Hurry up, please!"

911 Operator: "There is someone on the way... What is the monkey doing?"

Herold: "He ripped her face off!"

911 Operator: "He ripped her face off?"

Though short, the clip is enough to make you nauseous as you hear the utter terror in Herold's voice, compounded with the sound of Travis screeching in the background. Listen to the clip here.

The savage attack has left Herold and the country in shock, but wildlife specialists are far from surprised. Wildlife biologist and "Animal Planet" host, Jeff Corwin discussed the situation with Matt Lauer on the "Today Show" Tuesday. According to Corwin, though we see such similarities between ourselves and chimpanzees that we want to dismiss that animal side of them, chimpanzees do live by their own rules.

Corwin said, "These creatures are wild, and the violence that was exhibited by this chimpanzee is not unknown to wild chimpanzee society. Chimpanzees are highly evolved primates, but the truth is, these animals live in very complex societies in Africa. It's not uncommon ... that a chimpanzee will react to another over territoriality - even kill another chimpanzee."

Corwin is hardly exaggerating. Soon after this news broke, I found a video clip from the BBC natural history show "Planet Earth." I watched as a group of chimpanzees not only brutally attacked opposing chimpanzees, but proceeded to cannibalize the unlucky stragglers. Having watched it, it makes the situation even more devastating and Herold's blind eye to her "son" infuriating.

Of course, she isn't the first to do so.

In 2007, a woman, who owned many exotic animals, was kicked to death by her camel. In 2008, a woman was strangled by her reticulated tiger python. Like the woman killed by her camel, Amanda Black had had previous experience with reticulated pythons. Finally, let us not forget the incident with Siegfried and Roy in 2003, when a seven-year-old white tiger raised by Roy Horn, nearly killed him during a show.

Though Sandra Herold is convinced that Travis' attack was only "a freak thing," the fact remains that these are animals. Animal trainer Keith Bauer told NBC News,

"If you've got them at home, it doesn't matter how long you've had them, how much time you've put in with them, they're gonna blow."

Mike Celizic, Experts Try to Explain Pet Chimp's Rampage, MSNBC

Mike Celizic, Owner Describes Chimp's Terrifying Rampage, MSNBC

Arun Kristian Das, Chimp Attack 911 Call Released, Fox 5 News

Sarah Netter, The Allure of Exotic Pets Bring Risks to Owners, Animals, ABC News

Violent Chimpanzee Attack, BBC's "Planet Earth"

Alanna Nash, Siegfried and Roy: Stage Fright, Readers Digest