Clint Eastwood ape sidekick rescues Great Ape Trust caretaker

An orangutan bit a caretaker’s hand at Great Ape Trust Saturday morning, leaving only bruises, before a second ape with ties to actor Clint Eastwood came to the rescue.

Stephanie Perkins was standing outside the orangutan enclosure about 10:30 a.m. and reached in to collect a urine sample from orangutan Popi as part of standard procedures for the apes’ medical monitoring.

Another orangutan, Katy, grabbed the caretaker’s right hand and bit the fleshy part of the palm.

Popi ; who starred with Eastwood in “Any Which Way You Can” in the 1980s ; then smacked Katy, who let go of Perkins’ hand.

Ape trust spokesman Al Setka said Perkins’ wound appeared to be a pressure bite, which apes inflict as a warning.

Typically, apes inflict far more serious injuries in a full attack.

“We are relieved this wasn’t more serious,” Setka said.

Setka said he knows of no other attacks on caretakers at the trust, an ape research center studying orangutans and bonobos.

Perkins was treated at Methodist Medical Center for bruises and swelling, but had no other injuries.

Popi is a 38-year-old female who arrived at the trust in October 2008. She also was in a Las Vegas show previously and can be shy around humans or other apes, the trust website reports.

Katy, 21, also was previously a Hollywood ape with Steve Martin’s Working Wildlife before moving to the trust in July 2008.

Ironically, the ape trust website lists “human caretakers” as Katy’s “favorite companions.” It also mentions she likes to have her back scratched.

But the website also mentions Katy likes to spend time alone at times.

Perkins is expected to return to work Sunday.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100213/NEWS/100213007/Clint-Eastwood-ape-sidekick-rescues-Great-Ape-Trust-caretaker