CHIMP CRAZY

Director Eric Goode, renowned for his work on ‘Tiger King’ presents this compelling four part doco that delves into domestic chimpanzee ownership in the United States. Eric highlights the unregulated exotic animal industry, which allows individuals to acquire any animal they desire without supervision, management, or monitoring. Animal broker Tonia Haddix, is determined to keep her “pet” chimps at home, and continually defies legal restrictions imposed by animal rights organisation PETA. Haddix’s penchant for oversharing and narcissistically seeking the spotlight undermines her credibility and like all of the other featured chimp owners, her complete lack of morals and ethics is exhibited by her exploitation of these animals. This is a difficult watch at times, as it draws attention to the harsh, cruel realities faced by the chimps and the emotional disconnection of their supposed caretakers. But what I found most compelling was Tonia’s misguided belief that she is a credible animal advocate and how she inadvertently reveals her delusions and dishonesty. She really thinks she is getting a good edit when in actual fact, she is sinks herself every time she opens her mouth. Thankfully her abhorrent behaviour eventually leads to accountability. Eye-opening, insightful, and underscoring the urgent need for the legal protection of exotic animals in America.