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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Chimps rampage in Vegas; one shot dead
LAS VEGAS -- A poker pro who paid for the care of two chimpanzees that escaped and rampaged through a Las Vegas neighbourhood this week says wild animals don't belong in captivity.
Lee Wilkinson told The Associated Press tragedy can happen when people get cute baby chimps as pets, then can't care for them when they become full-grown.
Police shot the male chimp, named Buddy, dead in the street Thursday.
A female, named C.J., was tranquillized and returned to her enclosure.
No humans were injured. Agencies including the U.S. Department of Agriculture are investigating.
Wilkinson said he and his girlfriend, Timmi De Rosa, tried to build a haven for the animals. He said they agree with advocacy groups calling for a ban on the breeding and sale of captive wild animals.
Authorities said they had no choice but to kill one chimpanzee and tranquillize the other after the primates escaped a Las Vegas-area backyard and tore through a neighbourhood, pounding on cars and jumping into at least one vehicle.
Area resident David Plunkett said he saw the male chimp leap on top of a police car that had its lights on and an officer inside before the animal jumped to the ground and headed into a vacant lot.
The chimp was shot after he turned toward a gathering crowd. Helicopter video showed the animal lying face down in the middle of a road, surrounded by animal-control trucks and police cars.
The chimps were on the loose for about 30 minutes, with police trying to corral them before the male was shot and killed.
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 14, 2012 A24
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