Cheeta the Tarzan chimp star turns 75

[Trithemius]

I thought this was a neat little story.

Cheeta the chimpanzee, the animal star of 12 Tarzan films in the Thirties and Forties, celebrated his 75th birthday yesterday.

Link to article (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=447820&in_page_id=1811)

[Shanti]

It is neat especially since he made it in the Guinness book of world records for the longest living chimp.
In the wild about 30-40 yrs and in captivity they can average a life span around 60 yrs. So the guys done well and he is a diabetic to boot.

His Owners and fans have been trying to get him on the Hollywood walk of fame, but it has happened yet. Here the story on that. LINK (http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070413/LIFE/704130302/1059)

And Cheeta looks petty good for old dude! :)

[KiNoRonin]

From: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1260252,00.html

Monkeying Around
Updated: 10:40, Thursday April 12, 2007

Cheeta - the star of the Tarzan movies in the 1930s - has celebrated turning 75 with a special party.

The chimp, who appeared opposite Johnny Weissmuller in 12 films, is recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest chimpanzee.

Most chimps rarely live past 40 in the wild.

Cheeta was born in Liberia in 1932 and also starred in the 1967 film Dr Doolittle with Rex Harrison.

He celebrated his birthday with diet coke and sugar-free cake as he is now diabetic.

Since retiring from the film business Cheeta has been kept by US primate sanctuary owner Dan Westfall, who was given him by an uncle who was a Hollywood animal trainer in the 1930s.

Last year he received the first award of his career - an International Comedy Film Festival of Peniscola prize.


KNR

[Catiana]

Its great to see that he has been so well cared for.

[Cindlady2]

WOW! I've seen all his films! LOL
It never occured to me that he would still be around. Glad to see he's doing so good! :)