Bloemfontein Zoo chimp picks up smoking habit

Many inner cities zoos attract people keen to learn about animals and their behaviour. However, Bloemfontein Zoo's Charlie the chimp has picked up a really nasty habit from visitors and zoo officials are pleading with the public to help Charlie quit smoking.

"Charlie mimics people and has learned to smoke. It may look funny, but it's really bad for his health especially as he gets older," says the Bloemfontein Zoo's Daryl Barnes.

Barnes has appealed to visitors not to give Charlie cigarettes.