Bye Bye Booie: Cigarette-Smoking Candy-Addicted Chimp Dead At 44
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A famous chimpanzee who could beg for sweets using sign language and was addicted to cigarettes has died.
KNX 1070's Claudia Peschiutta reports the beloved chimp died at the age of 44 last weekend.
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Booie, who lived at the Wildlife Waystation in the Angeles National Forest, died Saturday while undergoing treatment for a heart condition, said Martine Colette, founder of the wild and exotic animal refuge.
Colette remembered the chimp as very particular in his habits.
"He was never one for having long philosophical discussions, but he was always prepared to have a discussion about what he wants, like he would like a soda, he would like some juice, he would like a candy," said Colette.
Booie came to the sanctuary after he was "retired" in 1995 from a medical research facility in New York.
And although the chimp suffered from hepatitis and a bad heart, he was ultimately able to kick the smoking habit before he died.
"I actually didn't let him out for cigarettes," she said.