It was a happy ending for Tonka the chimp, focus of the HBO docuseries Chimp Crazy, which aired its final episode on Sunday night. The primate, who was bred for the entertainment industry, was finally taken to a wildlife sanctuary in Florida to live out his days after spending the majority of his life locked in cages.
And after arriving at the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Fort Pierce back in 2022, Tonka was reunited with his son Cayleb.
Speaking with People following the Sept. 8 episode, Dan Mathews, director of events and special projects for Save the Chimps, said that Tonka is now "enjoying his second act in peace with family, friends, dignity and freedom." The father and son had been left at separate facilities and were rescued through different cases.
"After three decades behind bars or in basements, isolated from other chimps and eating unhealthful food, Tonka is now fit and relishing the sunshine at our 150-acre sanctuary with a gregarious group of 17 chimpanzees who get state-of-the-art vet care," Matthews said of Tonka, who turns 33 on Oct. 5.
Chimp Crazy’s Primate Star Tonka Reunited with Long-Lost Son Cayleb at Florida Sanctuary https://t.co/NvYSK2lQmN
— People (@people) September 9, 2024
Like his father, Cayleb was also abandoned when he became too strong to control, before eventually being rescued by Wildlife Waystation, an animal refuge in California. However, after that facility closed its doors in 2019 Cayleb was one of 42 chimps in need of new homes. His bio on the Save the Chimps website says that he was initially nervous, but soon befriended another chimp named Jacob.
When Tonka arrived just a few years later, the three chimps were moved to the facility's three-acre Doug’s Island and were introduced to the family residing there. They now enjoy the companionship of a large family group and have the freedom to explore and relax in the sun.
Tonka's saga has riveted audiences since the docuseries, from Tiger King director Eric Goode, premiered last month. The chimp had a brief but illustrious Hollywood career, appearing in films such as Babe: Pig in the City, George of the Jungle, and Buddy before he became too large to work with.
In the latter film, Tonka starred alongside actor Alan Cumming, who was instrumental in working with PETA to rescue him from former nurse turned exotic animal enthusiast Tonia Haddix. The animal rights organization had successfully won a lawsuit decreeing that the chimpanzees in Haddix's care must be transferred to a sanctuary, however she then claimed that he had been euthanized and instead kept him locked in her basement.
Suffice to say, Tonka's freedom is well earned, following the years-long legal battle and hunt for the missing chimp.
