After lawsuits were filed against the Missouri-based foundation by PETA over the living conditions of Tonka and other chimps, the owner Tonia Haddix was court-ordered to surrender custody of the animals. She would later claim Tonka had died and been cremated.
Famous chimpanzee Tonka was found alive in the basement of a Missouri home after its owner faked the primate's death, according to court documents. A famous chimpanzee was found alive in the basement of a Missouri home after its owner faked the primate’s death, in an apparent attempt to retain custody, according to court documents.
After suits filed against the foundation by PETA over the living conditions of Tonka and other chimps, Haddix was eventually court-ordered to surrender custody of the animals. Haddix had cared for the primates at the facility. However, nearly a year later, PETA obtained a recorded phone call in which Haddix said Tonka was still alive, but she planned to have him euthanized on June 2, PETA said in a release.The animal welfare group said