8.057 minSeason 1 • Episode 4
LatestTonka’s fate becomes clearer while Tonia struggles to let go and dreams of one day opening her own island sanctuary where she can live among chimpanzees.
Former nurse-turned-exotic animal broker Tonia Haddix, who refers to herself as the “Dolly Parton of chimps”, spends her days caring for animals in captivity. However, her limitless love for one chimpanzee in particular spins into a wild cat-and-mouse game with authorities and an animal rights group.
Direction
Eric Goode's Tiger King chaos energy, refined and weaponized.
Production
Access to truly unhinged home footage that shouldn't exist.
Acting
Tonia's self-mythologizing performance of a lifetime—unscripted.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of HBO's post-Tiger King true crime menagerie, but with sharper ethical teeth—no one escapes unscathed.
Alan Cumming's involvement stems from his long-running campaign to free Tonka, which began before filming—his genuine rage cuts through the documentary's ironic distance.
US
