Charlie the smoking chimp, RIP

Chimp Charlie has died. As I posted in 2005, the 52-year-old chimpanzee became "famous" after picking up smoking thanks to jerks who tossed him lit cigarettes. Apparently though, Charlie died of old age. From the BBC:

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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.

"He was on serious medications and in and out of the vet," he said….

Mr Khedama said the zoo hopes to find a new companion for its female chimp, Judy.

But he said: "We realise it will be almost impossible to replace a character like Charlie."

"Chimp Charlie dies at 52 despite smoking habit"