The director behind “Tiger King” is drawing backlash from animal rights groups and viewers of his latest documentary series, “Chimp Crazy,” which has put the spotlight back on exotic animals.
“Chimp Crazy,” produced and directed by filmmaker Eric Goode, is a four-part HBO series based on true stories about people's love of chimpanzees.
The woman at the center of the series, Tonia Haddix, is an exotic animal dealer who has had many run-ins with authorities and animal rights groups who seemed concerned about her treatment of chimpanzees.
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Haddix cared for seven chimpanzees and raised them as talents for films and photo shoots, FOX 2 reported.
Haddix said Tonka, a chimpanzee who appeared in several films and was in her care, had died. Tonka was eventually found inside her home. (HBO)
Haddix had a strong attachment to a chimpanzee, Tonka, who appeared in several films. Haddix claimed the chimpanzee had died after authorities removed some of the animals from a home where Haddix was caring for them in Missouri.
PETA and other animal rights groups, along with federal authorities, intervened —They eventually find Tonka inside a cage located in Haddix's basement.
Tonka was eventually moved to a sanctuary to live with other chimpanzees. The sanctuary is located in Florida, according to Born Free USA, a nonprofit that advocates for animal rights.
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Viewers took to social media to share their obsession with the series, with some showing support for Haddix while others questioned the ethical treatment of primates.
“I can't believe A. anyone can buy a chimpanzee and B. anyone wants one,” one Instagram user said.
The user added: “The woman on the show is obviously crazy, but apparently there are a lot of chimpanzees in private homes and the stories never end well. The owners are either attacked by the “pet” or the poor animal spends the rest of its life in a cage.”
Haddix owned seven chimpanzees at one point. The “Chimp Crazy” series has become popular among viewers of the popular documentary series. (HBO)
“We know you have a good heart and good intentions, Tonia. She seems happy and living in freedom. But she definitely misses you,” wrote one Instagram user on Haddix's page.
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“The worst thing about this show is seeing the chimpanzees being fed all this fast food as if… they're being killed,” one woman posted on X.
Another wrote: “I will never understand why anyone gets so close to dangerous animals. This documentary series is a must see.”
“I never imagined this docuseries would bring tears to my eyes. I just finished episode 3 and it was absolutely heartbreaking. The humans who keep these animals captive are 100% responsible for the trauma and sadness they experience. This makes me so angry,” one woman posted on X.
Brittany Peet, general counsel for the PETA Foundation who appeared on “Chimp Crazy” and worked on cases featured in the series, told Fox News Digital via email that she encourages people to be moved by the series. (HBO)
One man said: “I really like Tonia and I wish her the best.”
“I started Chimp Crazy and it's crazy. I have two more episodes left if I fall asleep or finish it,” one woman said.
Another user praised the series, saying, “Aside from the incredible subject matter and captivating archival footage, Chimp Crazy is an impeccably edited documentary. I want to copy their storyboarding process.”
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“Chimp Crazy is BANANAS,” one user posted on Tiktok.
The “Chimp Crazy” series, now available to stream on HBO Max, is the brainchild of the filmmaker who directed “Tiger King.” (HBO)
Brittany Peet, general counsel for the PETA Foundation who appeared on the series and worked on the cases featured in it, told Fox News Digital via email that she encourages people to be moved by the series.
“Crazy Chimpanzee “pulls back the curtain on a sordid industry in which unhinged humans, bent on exploiting chimpanzees as props and 'pets,' are willing to defy authorities and endanger everyone around them,” Peet wrote.
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PETA has announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the seizure by authorities of chimpanzees like those featured in the series.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Haddix for comment.
