Hollywood Ape Resurrected in Thrilling ‘Chimp Crazy’

In March 2020, Netflix subscribers were captivated by the docuseries “Tiger King,” which detailed the life of eccentric zookeeper Joseph Allen Maldonado, known as Joe Exotic, and his rivalry with Carole Baskin. Now, Eric Goode, the director and executive producer of “Tiger King,” is back with “Chimp Crazy,” a new four-part documentary series set to premiere Sunday, Aug. 18, on HBO and the Max streaming service.

“Chimp Crazy” follows Tonia Haddix, a Missouri-based exotic animal broker who calls herself the “Dolly Parton of chimps.” Haddix became a controversial figure when her ability to care for chimpanzees in captivity came under scrutiny.

Described by HBO, the series is “at turns hilarious and tragic, while unfolding with the pace and suspense of a thriller.” It delves into the captivating and often secretive world of raising chimpanzees, highlighting a colorful and complicated cast of characters involved in the process.

In the official trailer for the series, Haddix is seen in an almost surreal monochromatic pink children’s room. Sitting between two bunk beds with matching stuffed bears, Haddix recounts her bond with Tonka, a 32-year-old retired Hollywood chimp featured in the 1997 films “George of the Jungle” and “Buddy.”

Haddix’s misplaced enthusiasm for exotic animals escalated into serious criminal behavior when her home was deemed unfit for keeping chimpanzees. Her desperate desire to keep Tonka led to legal battles and a series of complications.

Some states, like Missouri, have relatively lenient laws on exotic pet ownership, which allow residents to keep exotic animals with certain restrictions. However, these laws often neglect the welfare of the animals. Chimpanzees, being intelligent and sociable, suffer significantly in captivity that doesn’t meet their needs, posing a danger to themselves and others.

“Chimp Crazy” not only highlights Haddix’s case but also examines other events of animal endangerment in the U.S., illustrating the harmful effects of improper exotic pet ownership, particularly for chimpanzees.

In June 2021, a judge ordered that seven chimpanzees in Haddix’s care be removed and sent to the Center for Great Apes, a sanctuary in Florida. Haddix later claimed that Tonka had died of heart failure in May, leading six chimps to relocate to Florida. However, PETA suspected otherwise.

Indeed, Tonka was neither dead nor suffering from heart failure. Haddix had secretly taken Tonka to a friend’s house to avoid the court order, only retrieving him once the other chimps were seized. She kept Tonka in her basement, where he interacted with Haddix and her trusted friends, while being entertained by screens in his vibrant indoor enclosure.