Melanie Masino, the documentary filmmaker and former director of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute who we featured last week in the White River Living cover story, went up against a feisty chimp showing off his pitching skills Wednesday at the Little Rock Zoo.

For a minute or so, Masino went down for the count, as she was hit in the left side of the face by the chimpanzee while she was escorting her child and two other kids around the Zoo. “It was such a freak thing,” Masino said. “I’ve never seen chimps so active and on such a hot day. They were doing flips off rocks and things. One, probably the dominant male of the bunch, landed after one flip and walked back to his tree and did another flip. The next thing I knew I was waking up on the ground with blood all over my face coming from my head. “None of us saw a rock in the chimp’s hand before it happened, but he had grabbed a softball-sized rock and nailed me in the left eye. It’s bruised. I’ve got a shiner today.”

Advertisement

After a CT scan at local hospital, Masino was deemed OK and sent home. “I’m fine now. I’m just so glad one of the kids didn’t get hit. I’ve never been hit in the head like that.”

Invest in the future of great journalism in Arkansas

Join the ranks of the 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts who know that the Arkansas Times is the go-to source for tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been on the front lines of the fight for truth, and with your support, we can do even more. By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a difference with your subscription or donation to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Raid at the club Next article Getting out Thursday: Ray Wylie Hubbard