Eric Goode, creator of the hit collection Tiger King, is again with one other eccentric story of an unique pet proprietor. This time, Goode turns his consideration to Tonia Haddix, a lady who’s deeply hooked up to her chimpanzees, particularly one named Tonka.
His new collection Chimp Loopy, now streaming on Max, follows Haddix’s authorized battle as she tries to cease PETA from taking away her beloved primates.
The present chronicles Haddix’s fierce battle to retain possession of Tonka, a chimpanzee she loves like a baby. PETA sued the Missouri Primate Basis, the place Haddix saved her chimps, alleging poor circumstances, and Haddix grew to become a central determine within the case.
What’s ‘Chimp Loopy’ about?
Chimp Loopy paperwork the story of Tonia Haddix and her intense bond together with her chimpanzees and different unique animals. The collection exhibits her efforts to keep away from authorized motion from animal rights teams equivalent to PETA.
Haddix took over the Missouri Primate Basis, often known as Chimparty, from one other chimpanzee proprietor named Connie Casey within the late 2010s. The inspiration, which was alleged to be a sanctuary for the animals, got here underneath fireplace when PETA filed a lawsuit alleging abuse and insufficient dwelling circumstances for the chimps.
On the coronary heart of Chimp Loopy lies Haddix’s bond with Tonka, one of many chimpanzees on the heart of her authorized battles. Goode’s documentary explores this relationship in depth, and exhibits the lengths to which Haddix is prepared to go to maintain Tonka.
Within the collection, Goode delves deeper into Haddix’s life, explaining specifically how she got here to be on the planet of unique animals and the way her bond with the chimpanzees developed.
Haddix, who is usually in comparison with Dolly Parton for her flamboyant type, lengthy blonde hair and hard appears, explains her deep attachment to those animals, particularly Tonka.
Her devotion to Tonka is so intense that Haddix has said that she loves him greater than her personal youngsters. She has vowed to do no matter it takes to guard Tonka and refuses to permit anybody, particularly PETA, to take him from her care.
Why is Tonka so particular to Tonia Haddix?
Tonka isn’t just any chimpanzee; he has a singular background that units him aside. He has appeared in a number of Hollywood movies, most notably George of the Jungle with Brendan Fraser and Buddy, starring Alan Cumming.
These appearances have made Tonka a recognizable determine, nevertheless it’s his bond with Haddix that makes him actually particular in her eyes.
Haddix claims they share a connection that goes past a typical owner-animal relationship. In an interview with Australia’s Carrie and Tommy Present on August 29, 2023, she mentioned, “Tonka and I simply discovered one another… It was meant to be. It was simply pure. And Tonka liked me simply as a lot as I liked Tonka.”
In 2020, Haddix and PETA reached a authorized settlement that allowed her to maintain Tonka and different chimpanzees in her care, supplied she made vital enhancements on the Missouri Primate Basis.
Nonetheless, when she did not comply, a decide ordered that all the chimpanzees, together with Tonka, be transferred to the Heart for Nice Apes in Florida. This facility, recognized for its glorious care of primates, would supply a significantly better atmosphere for Tonka and the opposite chimpanzees.
Regardless of the court docket order, Haddix refused to give up Tonka, claiming he was affected by congestive coronary heart failure and that shifting him would solely make his situation worse. Her defiance introduced her into direct battle with authorities and PETA, however Haddix remained steadfast in her perception that she was appearing in Tonka’s greatest pursuits.
The place is Tonia Haddix now?
In 2024, Tonia Haddix has efficiently prevented jail and continues to dwell close to the Ozarks in Missouri together with her husband, Jerry Aswegan. Collectively, they run a cellular petting zoo known as Dawn Seaside Safari, positioned close to Lake of the Ozarks.
Haddix is nonetheless actively concerned within the unique animal commerce, as an unique animal dealer. She has two grownup youngsters, Justin and Erica. Her son Justin seems within the third episode of Chimp Loopy, titled “Head Shot,” through which he discusses his mom’s obsession with chimpanzees, significantly Tonka.
Haddix has repeatedly claimed that Eric Goode, together with the documentary filmmaker behind Chimp Loopy, tipped off the US Marshals, resulting in a raid on her Missouri dwelling.
In the course of the raid, authorities discovered Tonka hiding in a small enclosure in her basement, regardless of Haddix having beforehand informed PETA and others that Tonka had died of coronary heart failure in 2020.
She had even gone as far as to supply what she claimed had been Tonka’s ashes to assist her story. Nonetheless, the documentary reveals that Tonka was very a lot alive and being secretly saved in her dwelling.
In episode 3, Haddix continues to insist that Tonka’s coronary heart situation makes it unsafe to maneuver him, claiming that the 14-hour sedation course of required to move Tonka to the Florida sanctuary can be an excessive amount of for him.
Nonetheless, veterinary data later confirmed that Tonka was not affected by coronary heart failure and was in truth wholesome. Tonka was finally transferred to the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida in June 2022, the place he now resides.
At this time, Tonka is alive and properly and the authorized battle surrounding him has drawn consideration to the unique pet trade and the lengths some folks will go to to maintain their beloved animals.
Chimp Loopy affords viewers an in-depth look into the lifetime of Tonia Haddix and her ongoing battle to save lots of her beloved chimpanzees, particularly Tonka, regardless of the authorized and moral challenges she faces.
Chimp Loopy is at the moment streaming on Max.
