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Help End Private Chimp Ownership

HBO’s “Chimp Crazy” highlights the urgent need to prohibit the private possession of chimps and other nonhuman primates. Learn how you can support critical legislation to end the exploitation of chimpanzees as pets and roadside zoo attractions.

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“Chimp Crazy”

“Chimp Crazy” is a four-part HBO documentary series from the team behind “Tiger King.” Though likely to be sensationalized for entertainment, it chronicles the true story of exotic animal broker Tonia Haddix, and the tragic consequences of private ownership of chimpanzees as pets.

The Issue

The Pet Primate Trade

While it’s illegal to import primates into the United States for the pet trade, U.S. breeders provide a continuous supply of baby primates to meet demand, shipping to buyers across the country. For relatively little money, a person can buy virtually any species of monkey or ape, but rarely understand the consequences of owning a primate. Estimates suggest there are thousands of primates currently held privately as pets in the United States, if not tens of thousands.

Chimps As Pets

Chimpanzees are incredible strong, intelligent, wild animals, and they do not make suitable pets. Pet primates suffer tremendously, often forcibly removed from their mothers soon after birth, and spending the majority of their lives confined to small enclosures, not receiving the caliber of care they need. By the age of five, a chimpanzee has usually grown too strong for a human to handle, and as they reach sexual maturity, they become larger and more aggressive. Since 1990, nearly 300 people have reported being injured by captive primates, with many more incidents likely going unreported.

Learn More About Chimps as Pets

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Take Action

The Captive Primate Safety Act

Private ownership of primates hurts animals, threatens public safety, and strains resources of the community, sanctuaries, and rescue organizations. The Captive Primate Safety Act seeks to prohibit the private possession, sale, and transport of primates, and if passed, would essentially end the chimp pet industry. Help put an end to private primate ownership, and ensure chimpanzees are cared for by accredited facilities and sanctuaries.

How You Can Help

Sign up for updates on the Captive Primate Safety Act and info on how to contact your legislator and spread the word.

Sign Up

Chimp Hugo

From the Sanctuary

Henry’s Story

Henry was rescued in 2009 when animal control officers found him in a rusty cage in a garage in Houston, Texas. His journey to a new life at Chimp Haven has included inspiring moments and heartbreaking challenges.

Read Henry’s Story

Chimp Henry

From the Sanctuary

Trixie

In addition to Henry, Chimp Haven has been home to other former pets who spent many years of their lives in biomedical research facilities. Chimps like Trixie were sometimes dropped off at research facilities by their owners when they could no longer care for their “pet.” Trixie spent nearly 20 years in research before coming to Chimp Haven, where she now lives in a social group with ten fellow chimps.

What to Know

“Chimp Crazy”

“Chimp Crazy” is a four-part documentary series from the team who produced “Tiger King.” It tells the true story of exotic animal broker Tonia Haddix, and the tragic consequences of her ownership of chimps as pets.

Judging by the series trailer, it appears “Chimp Crazy” will contain the same brand of sensationalized storytelling that made “Tiger King” an infamous national phenomenon during the early days of the COVID pandemic. It will be a difficult watch for anyone who cares about chimps, but also provides an important opportunity to create change for chimpanzees who continue to be exploited as pets and roadside zoo attractions.

Watch the Trailer

Take Action

Support the Captive Primate Sanctuary Act

The Captive Primate Sanctuary Act seeks to prohibit the private possession, sale, and transport of primates, and if passed, would essentially end the chimp pet industry. Send a letter to your legislator asking them to support this critical bill to protect chimps with an easy-to-fill-out form from the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Contact Your Legislator