From the makers of Tiger King comes Chimp Crazy, a new documentary series that delves into the wild world of chimpanzee lovers.

While we’re introduced to several “chimp mothers”, and the lengths they’ll go to for their ape babies, with the injuries left in their wake.

The series zones in on Tonia Haddix, who proudly declares herself the ‘Dolly Parton of chimps’ with bright blonde hair and an affinity for the colour pink.

She has a tight bond with Tonka, so when the government come to take Tonka away, she starts a cat-and-mouse game with authorities and animal rights group PETA in order to keep him as her own.

Launching in the US in August, Tonia and Tonka’s story is now coming exclusively to Sky Documentaries.

Here’s how the series breaks down.

Sky is the exclusive home of Chimp Crazy - with all episodes of the series available to watch from October 6th.

You can watch the series on Sky Documentaries, on demand via Sky Go or by streaming on NOW.

Chimp Crazy runs for four episodes, tracking the life of Tonia Haddix and her seven “children” - chimpanzees which she uses for entertainment.

The series follows Haddix, as well as the animal rights activists who are trying to stop her, detailing their stories through flashbacks and interviews.

Each episode ran approximately one hour in length, and originally ran on HBO in the United States in August 2024.

Running time: 56 mins

In the first episode, we’re introduced to Tonia Haddix, a former nurse who has become an exotic animal broker with an undying love for chimpanzees.

Calling the love of chimps the “best thing since peanut butter”, Tonia compares her love for the animals as “like the love of God” swearing to do anything to protect them.

Taking over the Missouri Primate Foundation in 2018, Haddix has a unique love for one adult chimp in particular – Tonka.

But after the facility was embroiled in a PETA lawsuit, and with federal marshals coming to collect all the monkeys to turn them over to a sanctuary, Tonka mysteriously goes missing.

Running time: 54 mins

As PETA starts a search to track Tonka down, Tonia is taken to court, where she claims the chimp has died and he’s already been cremated.

However, Tonka is very much alive – and living in Tonia’s basement.

Elsewhere, we hear the story of Travis, a male chimpanzee raised by a woman named Sandra Herold after purchasing him from the Missouri Primate Foundation.

Travis mauled a woman named Charla Nash in 2009, leaving her blind, with her face lacerated and several body parts being left severed.

The horrific mauling only ended when Travis was shot and killed by a police officer.

This kickstarted the Captive Primate Safety act, which aimed to ban primates from being sold or purchased through interstate and foreign sales.

Running time: 56 mins

After sneaking Tonka out of the Foundation (via a stay at a Holiday Inn), Tonia seeks legal advice with the help of her friend, Dwayne Cunningham as the case goes international.

Even actor Alan Cumming, now famed as the host of The Traitors US, puts a $10,000 reward up for the safe return of Tonka.

Cunningham’s lawyer shockingly suggests killing Tonka in order to stop any further investigation, and later Tonia calls him up and says that the chimp “very sick” and needs to be euthanized.

In a break of protocol to not get involved with their subjects, the documentary filmmakers step in to inform PETA of where Tonka is.

We’re also told of Oregon chimp owner Tamara Brogoitti, who had previously fought with PETA over her pet, Buck. Buck later attacked Brogoitti’s daughter, causing her to call the police so the ape could be killed.

Running time: 57 mins

After the filmmakers intervene, marshals swarm Tonia’s house in order to retrieve Tonka, putting him in custody of Save The Chimps.

Tonia is left furious when she discovers that filmmaker Eric Goode, who previously shot to fame with Netflix series Tiger King, was behind the documentary being filmed for her.

However, the pair later meet, and she invites him to film her exotic petting zoo, and reveals she had previously been attacked by a friends’ chimp, losing part of her ear in the process.

Tonka gets to live out his life with Save The Chimps, being given a healthy lifestyle and new chimp friends to play with.