The documentary series Chimp Crazy premieres on HBO with its first episode, ‘Monkey Love’. The episode introduces viewers to Tonia Haddix, a former nurse who now works as an exotic animal broker and refers to herself as the “Dolly Parton of chimps.”
Tonia fights to retain custody of her “kids”—seven chimpanzees at the Missouri Primate Foundation (MPF). The episode also features other “chimp moms,” including one woman who raised a baby chimpanzee alongside her own infant daughter.
The episode looks at the relationship between these women and their chimpanzees, exploring the risks that both humans and animals face in these unconventional living situations. The episode also highlights the strong emotional connections that can develop between humans and animals, as these “chimp moms” consider their primates to be part of their families.
Chimp Crazy: Monkey Love airs on Sunday, 18 August 2024, at 10:00 PM on HBO.
