Smoking Shown to Increase Lifespan of Chimps Up to Ten Years

The Captain is saddened by the news of Charlie's passing, but is glad that he was able to enjoy a longer life than the average non-smoking chimpanzee.

A CHIMPANZEE famous for smoking cigarettes died at a South African zoo, after puffing until age 52, despite zookeepers' efforts to help him kick the habit.

Charlie the chimp started smoking after visitors to the zoo in central Bloemfontein tossed him a lit cigarette, which he picked up and stuck in his mouth, aping the human onlookers.

The trick earned laughs, encouraging more people to feed his habit. For years zookeepers tried in vain to convince people to stop abetting him.

In the end, Charlie lived 10 years longer than the average chimp, so his addiction did not end his life prematurely, zoo spokesman Qondile Khedama told AFP.

[Herald Sun]