For Tonia Haddix, once the center of attention as the star of the 2024 docuseries "Chimp Crazy," the curtain has come down in a dramatic and very public fashion. On Thursday, August 7, 2025, the 56-year-old Missouri woman was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after admitting she lied under oath about the fate of a famous chimpanzee named Tonka. The sentencing, reported by multiple outlets including the Associated Press and USAO press releases, marks the latest chapter in a saga that has captivated animal rights advocates, documentary fans, and legal observers across the country.
Haddix’s legal troubles stem from her years running the Missouri Primate Foundation in Festus, Missouri—a facility that became notorious after a heated civil battle with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) over the care and conditions of several chimpanzees, including Tonka. According to court documents and statements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Haddix pleaded guilty in March 2025 to two felony counts of perjury and one felony count of obstruction of justice. The case, as covered by outlets like the Associated Press and News3, centered on her false claims regarding Tonka’s death, which she repeated in sworn court filings.
The story, however, begins nearly a decade ago. PETA first sued Haddix and the Missouri Primate Foundation, alleging that she kept chimps "confined in cramped, virtually barren enclosures," as reported by the Associated Press. Among the animals was Tonka, a chimpanzee with a Hollywood pedigree—having appeared in films such as "George of the Jungle," "Buddy," and "Babe: Pig in the City." The legal fight escalated in 2020, when Haddix signed a consent decree agreeing to send four of her chimps to the Center for Great Apes sanctuary in Florida. She was allowed to keep three others, including Tonka, at a new facility she was supposed to build. But when a judge found that Haddix had "repeatedly failed to comply" with court orders to improve the quality of care, authorities arrived in 2021 to remove the remaining primates.
It was at this critical moment that Haddix claimed Tonka had died and that she had cremated his remains. "I wanted to keep trying to save Tonka if I could. But then he just died on his own, so there was no saving him," Haddix said, according to court records cited by the Associated Press. This assertion, made under oath, formed the basis for her perjury charges. Yet, as the world would soon learn, the truth was far stranger—and far more troubling.
While filming "Chimp Crazy," the same production team that brought viewers the Netflix hit "Tiger King" uncovered a shocking twist: Tonka was not dead at all. Instead, he was discovered alive, hidden in a cage in the basement of Haddix’s home in Sunrise Beach, Missouri, near the Lake of the Ozarks. The revelation came to light in 2022, when PETA, alerted by the filmmakers, removed Tonka from the basement and transferred him to the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida. The USAO confirmed that federal marshals carried out the transfer after Haddix reportedly declared plans to euthanize Tonka.
Haddix herself admitted, both to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and in the third episode of "Chimp Crazy," that she had lied to protect Tonka from "the evil clutches of PETA." She described the ordeal, saying, "Tonka was literally on the run with me." But rather than earning her sympathy, these admissions only deepened the legal consequences. As prosecutors noted in their filings, "Defendant has shown no remorse for her criminal conduct, and has continued to challenge and defy this Court's authority, and she should face a significant punishment as a result."
The legal system agreed. Not only did Haddix receive a 46-month prison sentence, but she was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release upon completion. And her troubles did not end there. Just two weeks after her guilty plea, a court-ordered search of her home uncovered another chimpanzee hidden in violation of court orders—prompting her immediate arrest and the revocation of her bond, according to case documents.
Animal rights advocates, particularly PETA, have hailed the outcome as a victory for captive primates. Brittany Peet, PETA Foundation General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement, stated, "Now that Tonia Haddix is locked up, she's getting a taste of the suffering she inflicted on animals by imprisoning them in cages and denying them any semblance of a natural life." Peet continued, "PETA is relieved to see justice done and urges everyone to support the Captive Primate Safety Act, which will keep vulnerable monkeys and apes out of the pet trade and the hands of ruthless dealers like Haddix." In a separate news release, PETA declared that Haddix now "can't hurt another chimpanzee."
Tonka’s story, meanwhile, has taken a far happier turn. The chimpanzee, once a star of the silver screen, has now adapted to life with a 17-chimp family at the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida. The sanctuary, which specializes in providing a safe and enriching environment for former research, entertainment, and pet trade primates, has become Tonka’s new home—a far cry from the basement cage where he was discovered. Fans of the docuseries and animal lovers alike have expressed relief and joy at his rescue, with many echoing the sentiment: so happy to hear Tonka is so happy!
Yet, the saga also raises broader questions about the regulation of exotic animal ownership and the responsibilities of those who care for such intelligent, social creatures. Prosecutors argued that Haddix’s actions were not only illegal but also demonstrated a pattern of disregard for both the law and animal welfare. Her attorney, Justin Gelfand, sought leniency by highlighting her difficult upbringing and troubled personal history, writing in court filings, "This life taught her a clear lesson: humans are unpredictable and are not frequently safe or trustworthy. In the face of these harsh realities threaded throughout her life, Haddix came to form secure attachments with animals." But the court was unmoved, emphasizing the need for accountability and the protection of vulnerable animals.
The case has also shone a light on the ongoing efforts to pass the Captive Primate Safety Act, legislation aimed at preventing private individuals from owning primates as pets or using them in entertainment. Supporters argue that such measures are essential to prevent similar abuses and to ensure that animals like Tonka are never again subjected to mistreatment or neglect.
As the dust settles on Tonia Haddix’s legal battle, the story of Tonka and the other chimps she once cared for serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved when humans and wild animals cross paths in captivity. The legal, ethical, and emotional complexities of these cases will no doubt continue to spark debate—but for now, justice has been served, and Tonka is finally home.