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North Korean Chimp's 40-Cigarette-A-Day Habit Ends
22 Nov
Summary
- A chimpanzee named Azalea smoked 40 cigarettes daily for zoo visitors.
- Animal rights activists condemned the chimp's smoking habit as cruel.
- Zoo expert ensured the chimpanzee's smoking stunt was stopped.
A chimpanzee named Azalea, residing at the Pyongyang zoo in North Korea, was trained to smoke as many as 40 cigarettes a day for the amusement of visitors. This practice, initiated after renovations to the zoo, drew sharp criticism from animal rights organizations, with PETA calling it a cruel addiction for human entertainment. The zoo keepers defended the act by claiming the chimpanzee did not inhale the smoke.
Fortunately, the controversial display has ceased. A Swedish zoo expert, Jonas Walhstrom, intervened and insisted that the smoking stunt must stop immediately, a demand that was reportedly heeded. Walhstrom, who has a long-standing relationship with the zoo, expressed his dismay at seeing the chimpanzee engage in such behavior, likening it to practices from decades past in European zoos.
Walhstrom's involvement highlights a broader effort to improve animal welfare at the Pyongyang zoo, which has seen numerous peculiar exhibits. His ongoing consultancy aims to introduce better enrichment practices for the animals. The zoo's collection has grown through 'gifts' to Kim Jong-un from various international leaders, contributing to its unique, though sometimes concerning, exhibits.
