Zesta’s injuries 159Zesta’s injuries
One of our visitors at camp at the time, Diccon Westworth, who went to the site of the
attack and observed the death of ZT, was a qualified veterinarian; he was able to make a
detailed examination of the cadaver in situ. As such a report is very rare I include it in
full here:
POSTMORTEM
SUPERFICIAL EXAMINATION AND PALPATION OF ZESTA
(ADULT MALE IN THE SONSO COMMUNITY OF CHIMPANZEES)4th November, 1998
Subject: Zesta (adult male)
Time of death: 09.52 approx.
Time of postmortem: 14.30
Time of initial attack: 06.40 approx.
Duration of attack: 50 minutes approx.
Attack known to have been carried out by Sonso community members.
The postmortem was carried out in the field at the site of death, supplemented with photographic
documentation.
Prior to the postmortem examination it was ensured that no chimpanzees were within a 200 m
radius of the body. It was decided that a minimally invasive examination would take place to ensure
the cadaver was left undisturbed. It was suspected that the cadaver would be important over the
following week for the adjustment of community members.
On initial inspection the cadaver was lying supine in rigor mortis approximately 15 m from the
area of initial attack. Within this area two sections of muscle (both approximately 3 cm in diameter)
were found and blood was present on under-story vegetation.
Both the thorax and abdomen were tapped with a 19 gauge needle and 20 cc syringe for the
presence of blood or air. No blood was aspirated from the abdomen on either side of the thorax. Air
was easily aspirated from the right thorax. Approximately 5 ml of clear frothy acellular fluid was
aspirated from the left thorax between the third and fourth ribs.Head and Neck
Superficial abrasions and lacerations to both ears, face and cranium were present. A large full
thickness 8 cm tear to the upper lid on the right side extended from the level of the upper canine to
the entry of the right nares.
A superficial triangular defect was present over the bridge of the nose consisting of a 2 cm tear
from the bridge to the lateral canthus of the left eye and across the mid-line. Multiple tears to the
upper pinnae of the left ear were present, resulting in a 2 cm defect. The right ear was macerated
with multiple lacerations all over the pinnae. There was a superficial 3 cm laceration over the
occipital area of the right side of the cranium.Thorax
There was an 8 cm diameter defect over the right upper thorax. The superficial and deep pectorals
were transacted with a 4 cm defect and there was a small puncture hole into the thorax through the