(KSDK)-Johannesburg, South Africa
Andrew Oberle, a St. Louis-area native and St. Mary's High School alum remains hospitalized this weekend after he was attacked by two animals at a sanctuary for abused chimpanzees.
"He remains in critical condition," said Robyn Baard, spokesperson for Mediclinic Nelspruit. Oberle remains in intensive care.
Oberle, 26, was giving a tour Thursday at the Jane Goodall Institute's Chimp Eden. He reportedly split from the group, crossing over 1 of 2 fences separating the public from the chimpanzees.
Two male chimps attacked him, grabbed his feet and pulled him under a second fence.
The animals dragged him for at least half a mile. He is said to have suffered multiple and severe bite wounds.
After the attack, paramedics under the supervision of armed guards entered the enclosure to tend to Oberle.
The sanctuary, featured on Animal Planet with host Eugene Cussons, houses chimps rescued from abusive living conditions.
Oberle is in the graduate program at the University of Texas-San Antonio, studying anthropology and primatology. He's been at the Goodall Institute since May.
In south St. Louis, St. Mary's High School Principal Kevin Hacker has good things to say about Oberle, a 2004 graduate.
"I had Andy in class, and also I knew him as principal," said Hacker. "A very good student. He was involved in a lot of different activities here at St. Mary's. We did send an e-mail out to all our faculty so that all the folks who taught Andy will keep Andy and his family in their prayers."