Topic: Charla Nash

Travis (1995 – February 16, 2009) was a male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) who appeared in American television shows and commercials. In February 2009, Travis suddenly and viciously attacked Charla Nash, a friend of his owner. During the attack, Travis grievously mauled Nash, blinding her while severing her nose, ears, both hands and severely lacerating her face. He was subsequently shot on the arrival of the police after trying to attack an officer.

As an animal actor, Travis had appeared in several television commercials, including spots for Coca-Cola and Old Navy. He had also appeared on The Maury Povich Show, The Man Show, and appeared in a television pilot that featured Sheryl Crow and Michael Moore.

Travis was born near Festus, Missouri, at Mike and Connie Braun Casey's compound, currently named the Missouri Chimpanzee Sanctuary. In a separate incident, Travis' mother Suzy was shot and killed following an escape in 2001. He was adopted by Sandra and Jerome Herold when he was three days old. They raised Travis at their home at Rock Rimmon Road in the North Stamford section of Stamford, Connecticut. Travis was the Herolds' constant companion, and would often accompany them to work and when they went shopping in town. The Herolds owned a towing company and Travis would pose for photos at the shop and ride with the tow truck, his seatbelt buckled and wearing a baseball shirt. Travis became well known in the town and had been known to greet police officers whom they would encounter when towing cars.