Woman suffering massive injuries to face, hands in pet chimp attack transferred to Cleveland Clinic

Charla Nash, 55, chimp attack victim is fighting for her life.

Charla Nash, the woman viciously attacked by her friend's pet chimpanzee on Monday in Connecticut has been transferred on Thursday afternoon from Stamford Hospital to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

Ms. Nash, 55, remains in critical condition after losing both eyes, her nose, part of her jaw, and suffering massive injuries to both hands during the chimpanzee attack.

She was rushed to Stamford Hospital immediately after the horrific incident and underwent emergency surgery.

Four teams of surgeons operating for approximately 7-8 hours worked to save Ms. Nash's life and address her "extensive facial and bilateral hand injuries," explained attending physician, Dr. Kevin Miller.

Numerous specialists were needed during the surgery, including doctors specializing in hand surgery, plastic surgery, oral maxillofacial surgery, ophthalmology, trauma, and anaesthesia. 

Afterwards, Dr. Miller reported that Ms. Nash "remains in critical condition, but that her vital signs are improving and she is making good but small progress."

The Cleveland Clinic, to where Ms. Nash has been transferred, is famous for performing the first facial transplant in the United States. Click HERE to visit their website and see photos and bios of the doctors who may operate on Ms. Nash.

The 200-pound chimpanzee, Travis, was shot dead during the incident on Monday when he left Ms. Nash lying on ground to start attacking a police vehicle with an officer inside. When the chimpanzee opened the driver's side door, the officer sitting inside drew his gun and shot Travis. The chimpanzee fled into the house, where he died in his room.

Animal experts and the police are speculating about the possible causes of Travis' violent outburst, wondering whether the chimpanzee's battle with Lyme's disease or the ingestion of Xanax-laced tea is to blame. But the reasons for the pet chimpanzee's rampage remains just that--pure speculation, and will likely never be known.