Russian Chimp Sent to Rehab for Alcohol and Cigarette Addiction
September 11th, 2013
A chimpanzee named John has been successfully treated for alcohol and nicotine dependency , reports the The Daily Mail. After observing and replicating the habits of gamblers while working as a mascot at Space, one of the biggest casinos in Russia, the chimp continued his high rollers taste at Gekendzhik Safari Park. Park visitors would throw him lit cigarettes and to their naive amusement, John would also steal their beer.
”We saw this and tried to prevent possible gifts but he still managed to drink and smoke,” Peter Skorsky, deputy director of the park, told The Daily Mail.
In order to help John overcome his alcohol and nicotine dependency, the park put him through a form of rehab, which included a glass enclosure to prevent these “gifts” from getting into his hands, a special diet of fresh fruit and plenty of exercise.
‘Now he is cheerful and full of energy and I think (he) was completely rehabbed, getting rid of bad habits,” said Skorsky.
As ridiculous as this story may sound, it’s not uncommon. Two other chimps have had issues with tobacco in recent years, one at the Bloemfontein Zoo in South Africa and another in 2010 at another Russian park, Rostov Zoo. It’s no wonder the chimpanzee species are said to be the closest living relatives to humans; they even struggle with addictions just like us!
-Sharon Frajlich, Editor
AllTreatment.com
