Tonia Haddix, notable for her role in "Chimp Crazy," is now serving a prison term after deceitfully claiming a chimpanzee's demise.
In a landmark decision, Tonia Haddix, a former operator of the Missouri Primate Foundation, has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for perjury and obstruction of justice. The sentence comes after Haddix was found guilty of lying to a federal judge about the death of her famous chimpanzee, Tonka, who was actually hidden in her basement.
The case stemmed from a long-standing civil dispute involving the Missouri Primate Foundation and PETA, who accused Haddix of mistreating multiple chimpanzees and violating court orders to relinquish them to a sanctuary. Haddix falsely told authorities and the court that Tonka had died and had been cremated, but during the filming of the 2024 docuseries "Chimp Crazy," it was discovered that Tonka was alive and kept in a cage in her home.
The charges against Haddix highlight her intentional deception under oath and obstruction of the legal process. In August 2025, Haddix was also ordered to pay $225,000 to PETA and serve three years of supervised release after her prison term ends.
Tonia Haddix's history with the court includes repeated violations of orders regarding the care and custody of the chimps. Tonka, who was a celebrity chimpanzee known for appearances in films like "George of the Jungle" and "Babe" Pig in the City," was not an exception. Haddix had planned to euthanize Tonka but was stopped when the production alerted PETA, leading to Tonka's transfer to the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida in 2022.
Brittany Peet, the PETA Foundation's General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement, made a statement expressing relief at Haddix's incarceration and urging support for the Captive Primate Safety Act. Tonka is now part of a 17-chimp family at the Save the Chimps sanctuary and has adapted well to her new environment.
This conviction serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for violating animal welfare court orders and lying to federal authorities about a prominent primate under one's care. The U.S. Attorney's Office was involved in the case against Tonia Haddix, reflecting the seriousness with which such offenses are taken. Haddix, who was a star of the 2024 docuseries "Chimp Crazy," will now face the consequences of her actions.
References: 1. CNN 2. PETA 3. The New York Times 4. USA Today 5. AP News
- The conviction of Tonia Haddix, a former Missouri Primate Foundation operator and a star of the 2024 docuseries "Chimp Crazy," highlights the intersection of entertainment, general-news, and crime-and-justice, as her deception and violation of animal welfare court orders are severely penalized.
- Brittany Peet, PETA's General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement, called for support for the Captive Primate Safety Act, emphasizing the impact of celebrities like Tonka, a former Hollywood character known for roles in "George of the Jungle" and "Babe Pig in the City," on general-news and animal welfare, and the need for stricter regulations in entertainment industries involving animals.
