A Tale of Three Chimps

Television (Full Length) – 2001

Charlie Ridgway grew up in the circus; at age 16 he was training lions. This documentary explores the lives of three chimpanzees, each born into captivity, but leading very different lives. Mr Muggins, star of Charlie's circus, is fully bonded to his human carers, and showered with attention; Buddy was rescued from neglect and lives with other chimps in a Zambian animal orphanage; and oldest brother Sonny is also a circus performer, but leads a lonely life with little social interaction. The Ridgways feel their circus brings joy to rural kids; others argue they are a relic of the past. The documentary sold well internationally.

In a way they're in a bit of a time warp really, I mean both them and their animals...that life is moving on, and that circuses are changing.
– Vet Wayne Ricketts on Charlie and Carolyn Ridgway's travelling circus