Travis the Chimp Could Use Computers and Remote Controls

Most pet owners are thrilled when their dog learns to sit or their cat uses the litter box. Sandra Herold's pet chimpanzee Travis? He could surf the internet, flip through TV channels with a remote, and knew exactly when the ice cream truck was coming down the street.

Raised as a human child from just three days old, Travis lived with the Herold family in Stamford, Connecticut, and developed abilities that sound more like science fiction than reality. He didn't just mimic human behavior—he genuinely understood how to use technology designed for humans.

A Chimp Who Lived Like a Human

Travis's daily routine would make most teenagers jealous. He'd log onto the computer to look at pictures, change TV channels with the remote control (he particularly enjoyed watching baseball), and handle personal hygiene by brushing his teeth with a Water Pik. But his skills went far beyond entertainment.

Around the house, Travis was genuinely helpful. He could:

• Open doors using keys
• Water plants
• Feed hay to the family's horses
• Dress himself
• Eat at the dinner table with utensils
• Drink wine from a stemmed glass

The most impressive part? Travis had memorized the schedules of local ice cream trucks. He knew when they'd pass by and would get excited before anyone else even heard the familiar jingle.

How Smart Are Chimpanzees Really?

Travis wasn't some one-in-a-million genius chimp—he was demonstrating abilities that many chimpanzees possess when given the opportunity and training. Chimps share about 98.8% of their DNA with humans, and their cognitive abilities reflect that similarity.

In the wild and in research settings, chimpanzees have shown they can learn sign language, use tools, solve complex problems, and even understand cause-and-effect relationships sophisticated enough to use touchscreens and computers. Travis's abilities were remarkable not because chimps can't do these things, but because he had the environment and training to develop them.

The Celebrity Chimp

Before becoming famous for his human-like abilities, Travis had a career in show business. He appeared in television commercials for major brands like Pepsi and Old Navy, and made appearances on various TV shows. He was charismatic, trainable, and—by all accounts from his early years—remarkably gentle for such a powerful animal.

The Herolds purchased Travis for $50,000 when he was just days old, raising him in their home as they would a human child. For over a decade, he was treated as a member of the family, wearing clothes, sleeping in a bed, and participating in everyday household activities.

The Dark Side of Exotic Pets

Travis's story took a tragic turn on February 16, 2009. At 14 years old—fully mature and weighing over 200 pounds—Travis attacked Sandra Herold's friend, Charla Nash, causing catastrophic injuries. He was shot and killed by responding police officers.

The incident shocked the world and raised serious questions about keeping primates as pets. Investigators later found that Travis had been given Xanax the day of the attack, which may have contributed to his aggression. The tragedy led to stricter laws regarding exotic pet ownership and sparked ongoing debates about the ethics of raising wild animals in domestic settings.

While Travis demonstrated extraordinary intelligence and adaptability, his story ultimately serves as a cautionary tale. Chimpanzees, no matter how well-trained or socialized, are wild animals with strength and instincts that can become dangerous as they mature. The same hands that could operate a TV remote were powerful enough to cause devastating harm.

Today, Travis is remembered both for his remarkable abilities and as a symbol of why even the most human-like animals belong in appropriate environments, not suburban homes. His legacy continues to influence laws and attitudes about exotic pet ownership across the United States.