JOHANNESBURG - A CHIMPANZEE famous for smoking cigarettes died
at a South African zoo, after puffing until age 52, despite
zookeepers' efforts to help him kick the habit, an official said on
Wednesday.
Charlie the chimp started smoking after visitors to the zoo in
central Bloemfontein tossed him a lit cigarette, which he picked up
and stuck in his mouth, aping the human onlookers.
The trick earned laughs, encouraging more people to feed his
habit. For years zookeepers tried in vain to convince people to
stop abetting him.
In the end, Charlie lived 10 years longer than the average
chimp, so his addiction did not end his life prematurely, zoo
spokesman Qondile Khedama told AFP. An autopsy would determine
whether smoking had caused his death, said Mr Khedama.
'He was on serious medications and in and out of the vet,' Mr
Khedama told AFP.
'Charlie was very old for a chimp, and even though he has been
receiving special care, and a special diet including protein
shakes, vitamin and mineral supplements, he succumbed to old age.'
The zoo is looking for a new companion for his widow Judy,
'although we realise it will be almost impossible to replace a
character like Charlie,' he added. -- AFP
