52 is not a bad lifespan for a captive chimpanzee (wild ones rarely live beyond 40)
A chimpanzee famous for smoking cigarettes has died at a South African zoo, aged 52.
Charlie the chimp started smoking when some visitors to Mangaung zoo, in Bloemfontein, threw him lit cigarettes.
Zoo spokesman Qondile Khedama said Charlie had become an institution, entertaining thousands of visitors every year with his antics.
An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death.
For years, zookeepers had been trying to get the chimp to kick the habit, and they discouraged visitors from giving him cigarettes.
But Mr Khedama said he did not believe the addiction had ended Charlie’s life prematurely, as he had lived around 10 years longer than the average chimp.
BBC News – Chimp Charlie dies at 52 despite smoking habit
