So you have a very dangerous creature in front of you that is impossible to control. Do chimps in captivity show more aggressive behavior than those in the wild? In the wild they're pretty aggressive. read more
Occasionally, chimpanzees have been known to attack and even kill human children in parts of Africa. The root of this behavior isn't entirely known. Some think these aberrant chimps are killing for food, but every species of animal has its crazy outliers. read more
But periodic violent attacks on humans, including one in Havilah, Calif., in 2005 in which a man was maimed by two chimps at an animal sanctuary, are reminders that the animals have at least one big difference: brute strength. read more
Like a bear attack, the chimp can become extremely violent if the victim attempts to defend themselves. Most people simply don't realize that a chimp has several times their strength and things soon get completely out of control. If unmolested, wild chimps generally ignore humans. If not accustomed to them, they will run away if given the opportunity. read more