FESTUS, Mo. – FOX 2’s reporting on a Festus chimpanzee compound not only captured the interest of a national docuseries, but it also has a U.S. Senator taking action.
It started with FOX 2’s series of unusual reports starting with a chimp escape in the middle of the pandemic. A chimpanzee escape in July 2020 spurred a series of reports that introduced the world to Tonia Haddix.
The animal rights group PETA believed the animals were not getting proper care and that citizens were also in danger because of the escapes. The courts agreed and Haddix responded with defiance during exclusive FOX 2 interviews.
“They’re going to have to bring sheriffs and they’re going to have to bring everything they can,” Haddix told us in June 2021. “They’re not getting the chimps. They’re not getting them.”
She eventually lost, as U.S. Marshals oversaw the seizure of the chimps at the Festus property in July 2021. Haddix claimed one named Tonka had died, but federal authorities later found Tonka locked in Haddix’s basement.
Earlier this month, HBO premiered a four-part docuseries called “Chimp Crazy” based on our reporting and from PETA.
“(We’re) hoping viewers take away from the docuseries at times makes them angry and at times makes them sad, and we want them to turn that passion into action,” Brittany Peet, Deputy General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement for the PETA Foundation, said.
Congress is considering action, as Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal has introduced legislation banning private ownership of primates. His legislation has garnered bi-partisan support so far.
“Attention to these cases is critically important and it was critically important for Tonia Haddix, who was lying to the courts and violating court orders left and right, to know the level of scrutiny that was on her from all sides,” Peet said.
The seized chimps are reportedly doing well at two different Florida animal sanctuaries. PETA says one named Connor died last year from cancer.
FOX 2 reached out to Haddix to get her thoughts on the attention she’s received since our multiple interviews with her over the last three years. She’s not responded this time around.
