Chimp Crazy Review: Why Owning Chimps is a Bad Idea

hey there animal lovers today I'm diving into a must-watch documentary on HBO called chimp crazy directed by Eric good the same genius behind Tiger King but let me warn you this one is not as wild and Sensational instead it's a heart-rending look into the world of private chimp ownership so what's it all about chimp crazy centers on Tonia hadex a woman from Missouri who runs a sanctuary for chimpanzees among her chimps is Tonka a former Hollywood actor Tanya's deep affection for these animals is palpable but her choices raise serious ethical questions imagine treating a chimp like an overgrown child while being obsessed with cosmetic procedures sounds off right Eric Good's approach here is more thoughtful than in Tiger King he uses a proxy director named Dwayne to interact with Tona gaining her trust while grappling with the moral dilemmas on camera this adds another layer of complexity showing us the filmmaker struggle with ethical responsibility Alan also makes an you might remember him co-starring with Tonka in the movie buddy cuming a passionate animal rights Advocate offers a stark contrast to T's perspective he aligns himself with Peta highlighting the ethical concerns surrounding keeping chimps as pets his genuine affection for Tonka is clear but so is his stance on the matter the documentary doesn't shy away from showing the darker side of chimp ownership it interweaves Tanya's story with accounts of other chimp owners illustrating the tragic consequences of treating these intelligent animals like cute accessories the message is clear chimpanzees are not pets they are complex beings with specific needs that are often ignored in captivity now you might think why should I care well chimp crazy challenges us to question our assumptions about our relationship with these animals it emphasizes the devastating outcomes of misguided affection and anthropomorphizing them the documentary's strength lies in its willingness to engage with these ethical complex ities prompting viewers to rethink how we treat our primate cousins while it might lack the over-the-top drama of Tiger King chimp crazy offers a more impactful and thought-provoking narrative it's a call for a more ethical and compassionate approach to animal ownership making it a vital watch for anyone who cares about Animal Welfare so if you're ready for a documentary that's as enlightening as it is emotional give chimp crazy a watch it's a compelling reminder that our affection for animals should never blind us to their true need needs and the ethical implications of keeping them in captivity thanks for tuning in don't forget to like subscribe and hit that notification Bell for more deep dives into documentaries that matter catch you next time