Not A Dog But Perhaps An Icon Of The Movie World

[Boronia]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-28/chimp-from-1930s-us-tarzan-films-dead-at-80/3750258

Tarzan's chimp Cheetah dead at 80

Cheetah, the chimpanzee that starred in the Tarzan films of the 1930s, has passed away at the age of 80, according to the Florida sanctuary where he had lived for more than 50 years.

"It is with great sadness that the community has lost a dear friend and family member on December 24, 2011," the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary in Palm Harbor announced on its website.

Cheetah had performed in Tarzan The Ape Man (1932) and Tarzan And His Mate (1934), classic films about a man reared in the jungle starring Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan.

The chimpanzee - who arrived at the sanctuary in 1960 - loved finger-painting and watching football and was soothed by Christian music, the sanctuary's outreach director Debbie Cobb told the Tampa Tribune.

"He could tell if I was having a good day or a bad day. He was always trying to get me to laugh if he thought I was having a bad day. He was very in tune to human feelings," Ms Cobb said.

Ron Priest, a sanctuary volunteer, told the Tribune that Cheetah stood out because he could walk upright with a straight back like a human and that he was distinguished by other talents.

"When he didn't like somebody or something that was going on, he would pick up some poop and throw it at them. He could get you at 30 feet with bars in between," Mr Priest said.

[asal]

lol

looks like quite a few develop such accuracy.

how many remember the gorilla at toronga park zoo?

[Are You Serious Jo]

I know I'm going to be a fun sucker but here is a bit of the real story of Cheetah.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/25/AR2008112500939.html?hpid=features1&hpv=national

[asal]

I know I'm going to be a fun sucker but here is a bit of the real story of Cheetah.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/25/AR2008112500939.html?hpid=features1&hpv=national

oh that poor man.

[Peace_Of_Mind]

I just saw on the news Tarzan's chimp Cheetah died at 80 years old.

To tell you the truth I have never thought of Cheetah since I was a kid and thought would have passed away years ago.

RIP Cheetah

[Are You Serious Jo]

Read the link I posted, he wasn't 80 but in his 40's. He was a cool chimp though and one of the lucky few to get a good life as a pet.

[LizT]

Read the link I posted, he wasn't 80 but in his 40's. He was a cool chimp though and one of the lucky few to get a good life as a pet.

A far more likely and reasonable explanation too.

I mean it takes about seven Inspector Rex GSD's (all with different talents) to do an episode of "Inspector Rex".

ALthough I have to admit I'm a BIG FAN I kind of resent the Tarzan and Jungle Jim movies. I was such a huge fan and animal lover as a child but it left me with the false and common misconception that the "Cheetas" were an adult Chimp. Same with "Flipper" the dolphin. I was shocked the first time I saw how big a adult bull dolphin actually is!