A viral clip capturing a chimpanzee smoking at a zoo in southern China has sparked widespread debate about animal welfare and irresponsible visitor behavior. The video, filmed at Nanning Zoo in Guangxi province, shows the chimp casually picking up a cigarette butt left by a visitor and taking deep drags as if it were routine. Since surfacing online earlier this week, it has attracted millions of views and stirred concern about the animal’s health and overall safety.
Zoo officials identified the chimp as Diunaxing, a 15-year-old male with an unusual history. Originally born in Germany, he lived for years with an elderly owner who reportedly encouraged him to smoke and drink for entertainment. After the owner’s death, the chimp was transferred to China, where staff have been working to reverse these harmful habits. Although they’ve managed to reduce his alcohol consumption, breaking his dependence on cigarettes has been far more difficult—especially when careless visitors toss objects, including cigarette butts, into his enclosure.
🙊🚬Pillan fumando a un chimpancé adicto pese a los esfuerzos por rehabilitarlohttps://t.co/PlB26K9DpC pic.twitter.com/tLWu9QlIJV
— RT en Español (@ActualidadRT) November 22, 2025
Despite posted warnings forbidding feeding or throwing items into animal habitats, zoo workers say some guests continue to ignore the rules. In this case, a still-burning cigarette discarded by a visitor provided Diunaxing with the opportunity to indulge the habit he’s been trying to overcome. “We closely supervise all our animals, but actions like this make rehabilitation much harder,” a zoo representative explained. Experts caution that nicotine can cause severe respiratory issues, addiction, and shortened lifespans in primates just as it does in humans.
This incident mirrors several earlier cases across China, where tourists have encouraged animals to mimic human behaviors for entertainment, leading to public outcry. A 2019 video of another chimp smoking triggered similar backlash and sparked calls for stronger oversight.
In response to the new controversy, Nanning Zoo has increased patrols, added more cameras, and plans to intensify educational efforts to remind visitors to respect animal boundaries. While Diunaxing appears unharmed for now, repeated exposure could have long-term consequences. Authorities urge guests to report rule-breaking to help protect the animals and support their ongoing rehabilitation.
