Chimp no longer has monkey on his back

[trogdor]

BEIJING (Reuters) - A chimpanzee in a northwest China zoo has quit smoking after 16 years with the help of her keepers, official media reported.

The staff, worried about her declining health, weaned 27-year-old "Ai Ai" off tobacco by distracting her with entertainment and a tastier diet, Xinhua news agency said.

"The zoo keepers tried every way to divert the chimp's attention from cigarettes: a walk after breakfast, a music session after lunch and gym after dinner," Xinhua said.

She also got fried dishes and dumplings, as well as the usual diet of milk, bananas and rice, said one zoo keeper.

http://reuters.excite.com//article/20051003/2005-10-03T144430Z_01_EIC353001_RTRIDST_0_ODD-CHINA-CHIMPANZEE-DC.html

Ha ha. Made you look. Bet you thought I was talking about a different chimp.