A missing chimpanzee who starred in the 1997 films “George of the Jungle” and the Alan Cumming film “Buddy” has been found alive nearly a year after his owner falsely claimed he had died.
The search for the missing animal artist began last year when PETA successfully sued the Missouri Primate Foundation over the dire housing conditions for several chimpanzees, including Tonka. When the animal rights organization rescued Tonka and six other primates from the facility in July 2021, his owner Tonia Haddix claimed Tonka had “died.”
According to a PETA press release, Haddix “falsely and perjured himself that he died prior to transfer” — of heart failure resulting from a stroke. According to Rolling Stone, Haddix even went so far as to provide court documents describing how Tonka’s body was cremated in a fire pit.
Read also:
Alan Cumming hosts the US version of the psychological thriller game show “The Traitors”
However, conflicting reports about the disposal of the body and a whistleblower who revealed that Haddix had said the chimp was still alive last August increased PETA’s suspicions. In January 2022, a judge ruled that Haddix’s testimony was not credible. A few months later, PETA and Cumming put together a $20,000 reward for anyone with information on the star’s whereabouts.
Their efforts paid off when PETA obtained a recording of a phone conversation in which Haddix “claimed Tonka was still alive but was scheduled to be euthanized on June 2.” The nonprofit filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent Haddix from proceeding with the euthanasia or removing him from its property in Clever, Missouri.
When authorities arrived at her home, they found Tonka alive and accompanied by a “60-inch television” and an “interactive iPad-like touch device,” Rolling Stone learned, and he had also been enjoying a St. Patrick’s Day celebration with some of Haddix’s close friends.
Read also:
“Succession” actor James Cromwell uses superglue to stick himself to the Starbucks counter in protest against PETA
Although Haddix admitted to faking Tonka’s death, she insisted she had not planned the euthanasia directly. She claimed she decided to fake his death after Tonka allegedly suffered a stroke and could not bear to be separated from him. According to her account of events, Tonka’s doctor had simply planned to come by that day to check on the sick chimpanzee.
PETA is currently working to have him examined by an independent veterinarian. If he is determined to be fit to travel, PETA will take him to an accredited facility “where he will receive the care he desperately needs,” the press release said.
This is not Haddix’s first run-in with the law or with PETA, whose legal proceedings began in 2018. “Honey, I’ve been charged with contempt of court three times,” she told Rolling Stone. “I’ve paid $50 a day (in fines). I’ve been through a lot. I’m sure I’m going to get jail time for this. Do I care? No, I don’t care. It’s all about the child. As long as the child is safe, I don’t care about anything out there.”
Read also:
PETA calls on MLB to rename “Bullpen” to “Arm Barn”
Haddix claimed that Tonka would not survive in a shelter after a lifetime of human interaction. “If anyone knows Tonka, they know that Tonka is not a normal chimpanzee,” she told Rolling Stone. “He’s a human-chimp because he was raised for the movie sets and he doesn’t care about other chimpanzees.”
A court hearing is scheduled for June 15. “At that time, Haddix will have the opportunity to present her case, and officials will also address her perjury and contempt of court charges,” PETA said, adding that Tonka will be the 20th chimpanzee rescued from roadside zoos and private owners since 2013.
Read also:
Johnny Depp won in court – but his career is still over
