Tonka the chimpanzee, who was known for his appearances in the 1997 films Buddy, alongside actor Alan Cumming, and George of the Jungle, was found alive over the weekend after previously being reported as dead, according to PETA.
Owner Tonia Haddix claimed that Tonka had died in May 2021 after suffering a stroke, in addition to heart failure, according to Rolling Stone. Haddix even submitted documents in court to a Missouri judge, and said that Tonka's body was burned in a fire pit.
PETA explained in the news release how they were able to rescue Tonka after talking to Haddix on the phone.
"After receiving a recording of a recent phone call in which exotic-animal broker Tonia Haddix—Tonka’s owner, who claimed last year that he had 'died'—asserted that Tonka was still alive but would be euthanized on June 2, PETA obtained an emergency temporary restraining order preventing Haddix from euthanizing Tonka or removing him from her property," PETA said.
"This allows PETA to arrange for an independent expert veterinarian to assess Tonka’s health. If he’s healthy enough to travel, PETA will facilitate his transport to an accredited facility, where he can get the care he desperately needs."
PETA said that Haddix had been ordered by court to release Tonka, but that's when she falsely claimed under oath that the chimpanzee had died.
The agency found Tonka in Haddix's basement inside of a small cage that was nailed to the ground. Tonka was overweight, had no space to move, was not allowed to go outside, and had no other chimpanzee companions, PETA said.
"After months of searching, Tonka has finally been found and help is on the way," PETA’s attorney Jared Goodman said in a statement. "He has endured nearly a year of isolation and likely needs urgent care, but if all goes well, PETA will soon arrange for him to be moved to a lush sanctuary where he’ll have a chance for a real life at last."
Tonka is now currently at the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Fort Pierce, Florida alongside other chimpanzees that have been rescued from the former Missouri Primate Foundation.
PETA previously sued the Missouri Primate Foundation in 2017 to have 11 chimpanzees released to proper sanctuaries. Tonka is the ninth chimp that has been rescued.
Cumming has used his platform to speak out on PETA's mission to save Tonka, and even offered a $10,000 reward in April on top of PETA's $10,000 reward to anyone that helped find his former co-star, according to Vanity Fair. Cumming issued a statement expressing his happiness that Tonka was found and is in better living conditions.
"When I met Tonka while filming the movie Buddy, I made a true friend, and I was honored that he thought of me as a fellow chimp," Cumming said, according to PETA. "I’m dancing a jig that PETA has rescued Tonka from the woman who locked him away alone in a basement and lied about it. The thought of Tonka being able to wander free and happy at Save the Chimps’ lush, spacious sanctuary for the rest of his life has me singing a happy song."
Haddix admitted to Rolling Stone that she lied about Tonka dying, and that he had been in her house the entire time he was "missing." She also denied any plans of euthanizing the chimpanzee, and is not concerned about being potentially found in contempt of court for lying under oath.
"Honey, I’ve been held in contempt of court three times," Haddix said. "I have paid $50 a day [in fines]. I’ve been through the mill. I’m sure that there’ll be some jail time in this. Do I care? No, I don’t care. It’s because it’s about that kid. As long as that kid is safe, I don’t care about nothing out there."
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