Booie, the smoking chimpanzee, dies at 44

Published : Dec. 15, 2011 - 11:44

- Link copied

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ A chimpanzee that kicked a smoking habit and used sign language to beg for candy has died at a California animal refuge.

Martine Colette of the Wildlife WayStation says Booie was being treated for a heart condition when he died Saturday at 44.

The chimp had been living at the animal sanctuary near Los Angeles since 1995, after he retired from a research lab.

Colette says she turned Booie into a non-smoker but couldn't fix his sweet tooth. She says he would use his skill to panhandle by signing: ``Booie see sweet in pocket.''

Booie's death is a serious blow to the financially troubled refuge because he was one of its best fundraisers.

Martine says he had fans around the world because of his TV appearances.

<한글기사>

담배피던 침팬지 44세로 세상과 이별

담배 피우는 침팬지로 큰 인기를 모았던 부이가 지난 토요일 44세로 사망했다고 외신들이 보도했다.

부이는 지난 1995년에 美 캘리포니아주 동물보호소으로 이송된후 심장질환 치료를 받고 있었다고.

동물보호소 관계자는 부이가 끝내 비 흡연 동물이 되었지만 사탕같은 단 음식을 달고 살았다고 전했다.

부이는 보디랭귀지 방문객들에게 '주머니속에 사탕이 보인다'는 식으로 사탕을 얻어냈다고.

관계자는 또한 부이가 워낙 사람들에게 사랑을 받았기때문에 그의 죽음이 무척 슬프기도 하지만 동물보호 기금 조성에 문제가 될수 있다고도 말했다.

Booie, the smoking chimpanzee, dies at 44

More from Headlines