Chimp attack victim: "I do not blame Shawn the chimp"

I do not blame Shawn the chimp," said the 22-year-old sanctuary volunteer, Andrea Maturen.Bruised and scratched, Maturen returned to the sanctuary for the first time since Friday's attack to take the blame and admit before local tv cameras that she failed to follow protocol.'Part of the human error was being too...I guess comfortable is a good word. I know these animals very well and I've known them for so long that it was that errorwe made of thinking, we're okay. We definitely learned a lesson that they're wild animals and they deserve to be treated as such," said Maturen.She says she and another volunteer, Tina Ercolano, did not follow protocol of keeping two doors locked between them and the chimps.Maturen was cleaning Shawn's cage when the animal and another chimp Lucy, got through one of the doors that was left unsecured.Debbie Cobb, with the sanctuary explained what may have provoked the attack, "All she knew was somebody was in her house, that is not normal, we do not go in and play with ten and twelve year old chimpanzees and she wanted somebody out, just like somebody coming into your home."Maturen says she tried to run away when she heard the door open, but did not escape in time.'Maybe she did think something was wrong because I was scared and they should be scared because I was scared. I think maybe she wanted me to go away because she was on my back, maybe she just wanted me to go away because she was on my back, maybe she just wanted me gone," Maturen told 10 Connects.As Maturen tried to get away with the animal still on her back, Tina Ercolano came to her rescue trying to get the chimp away by spraying her down with a hose."I thank Tina for my life. Tina did what not many people would do, what not many volunteers would do," she said.The two were able to get away from Shawn who was then secured by other volunteers.She was left with bruises, scratches and torn tendons in her hand. Looking back, she realizes that it could have been so much worse."Until you feel it, you can't respect it and now I just respect Shawn so much for what she is capable of doing and for what she was capable of doing that she didn't do," Maturenexplained to10 Connects.She says Shawn could have gone for her face or genitals, as chimpanzees often do, but didn't.The 22-year-old college student says she plans to return to the sanctuary where she has been a volunteer for five years once she recovers."I still really love Shawn and I don't hold anything against her or any of the chimps," she said.The sanctuary says of all the things that went wrong on Friday, a lot went right. They credited volunteers for immediately locking down the facility, forcing everyone out and not letting anyone inside until they were sure all of the animals were secure.Lt. Steve DeLacure with the Florida Fish and Wildlife says his case is closed. He says this was a case of handler error. The sanctuary is not being held criminally liable.Delacure says Maturen did not want the animal tested for rabies because this would have required the animal to be euthanized so brain tissues samples could be taken.