Animal actor Tonka found alive one year after owner faked chimpanzee’s death

Animal actor Tonka the chimpanzee has been found alive one year after his owner faked his death.

The chimp appeared in a number of hit films in the Nineties, including George of the Jungle and Buddy.

In May 2021, Tonka’s owner Tonia Haddix filed court documents claiming that Tonka had died and his body had been cremated.

However, Rolling Stone now reports that Tonka is actually alive and has been living with Haddix, kept entertained by a “60-inch TV” and “an interactive iPad-like touch device”.

The animal was discovered after authorities searched her home as part of an emergency court order obtained by Peta, with whom she has been in a long-standing legal dispute.

Tonka was last seen caged at Missouri Primate Foundation, a now inoperative chimpanzee breeding facility that rented the primates out for movies and parties or sold them to private owners.

Originally, Peta had sued the Missouri breeding facility over the chimpanzee’s “filthy, virtually barren” living conditions. However, when they went to move the chimps, the animal rights group found Tonka was missing.

Provided by The Independent Cumming in 2017, holding a photo of him and Tonka (AFP via Getty Images)

Asked by Rolling Stone if she felt it was an issue to have lied to the courts, Haddix said: “Honey, I’ve been held in contempt of court three times. I have paid $50 a day. I’ve been through the mill. I’m sure that there’ll be some jail time in this.

“Do I care? No, I don’t care. It’s because it’s about that kid. As long as that kid is safe, I don’t care about nothing out there.”

The news was celebrated by Tonka’s Buddy co-star Alan Cumming, who shared a link to the Rolling Stone story on Instagram.

In April, the actor matched Peta’s reward of $10,000 (£8,000) to find Tonka after the charity shared their suspicions that he was still alive.

“It’s horrible to think he might in a cage in a dark basement somewhere or have met some other fate, so I’m appealing to whoever knows what has become of him to please come forward claim the reward,” he said at the time. 

Reference: Independent: Isobel Lewis  

‘Cannot stand the smell!' - ‘Effective' ways to banish mice in homes using natural scents

Small but able to cause mighty damage, mice have been plaguing the homes of Britons for thousands of years. Scratching away from inside of walls and under floorboards, mice are capable of causing infection, spreading bacteria and destroying possessions. Mice are usually identified through their dark-coloured droppings and gnaw marks through cables, packaging and food. Tiny in size, these pests are able to squeeze through the tiniest of cracks, infiltrating the home and potentially breeding.

Zack DeAngelis, creator of Pest Pointers explained how there are certain natural scents mice "hate" due to their "strong sense of smell".

He said: "Mice have a very keen sense of smell that is much stronger than what humans experience.

"You can use this trait to repel mice and use scents that mice hate.

"These powerful scents that work against mice are highly recommended as effective solutions."

Here are a few scents that you can use to help repel mice and keep them away from your property.

Peppermint

Peppermint oil is known to be one of the best alternatives to pesticides.

The pest control expert explained that homeowners can use it by dipping cotton balls into your peppermint oil before placing them around your home.

This can be done indoors and out, wherever the problem is occurring.

However, as it would take a lot of time and a whole lot of oil to cover large areas this way and the scent will eventually fade, instead you can try mixing 10 to 15 drops of the oil with water to create a spray.

Alternatively, peppermint toothpaste can be used as a deterrent.

Zack said: "One of the most common scents that we use in daily household items is also the one that mice truly cannot stand the smell.

"Simply do what you would do with the oil and rub some toothpaste along baseboards, near doorways, next to any cracks if you happen to have them, and any mouse holes."

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a great scent to deter mice as the "strong, spicy aroma" is something "they hate the smell of".

The expert said: "Mice are very strongly opposed to the smell of cinnamon, so grab the powder from your spice rack and keep them at bay."

There are many ways to use cinnamon to keep mice away, and it really just depends on what you are hoping to do, the amount of work you want to put into it, and which products you already have at home.

Zac continued: "Stash some cinnamon sticks in drawers, closets, cabinets, underneath furniture, and anywhere else that you see fit.

"This will repel mice and will also give a nice aroma to your home without needing to buy lots of expensive candles and wall plug-ins. A win-win."

GETTY Cinnamon is a great scent to deter mice as the

Vinegar

As mice hate strong scents due to their intense sense of smell, vinegar just may be "the strongest scent" out there, especially when it is left undiluted, according to the pest guru.

He said: "This strong, sour aroma is good for repelling many creatures, and mice are no exception.

As we all are aware, it is nearly impossible to cover your area fully with this mixture.

"Similarly, it isn't really an ideal scent to have all over your house for a prolonged period, nor is the dispersal of vinegar in every nook and cranny going to be a fun process.

"Instead, mix some water and vinegar in a spray bottle to mist any areas where you have seen mice as well as locations you expect them to go."

Using this method around doors, floorboards, countertops, and closets is recommended.

© EXPRESS How to clean using white vinegar

Dryer sheets

For whatever reason, mice really do not enjoy the scent of dryer sheets.

This is great news because this is another product homeowners might already have laying around.

The best part? It takes even less work than spraying, sprinkling, or misting other scents.

Zac advised: "Just stick a dryer sheet in your small spaces that mice may be drawn to and leave them for up to a week at a time.

"Leaving them longer will have no negative impact, they just lose their scent after a while and will need to be replaced to continue being effective in that given area.

"Basically, stick a dryer sheet under furniture, in closets or cupboards, and anywhere you suspect that your furry frenemies may try to show up." 

Reference: Daily Express: Angela Patrone

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Reference: Pets Radar: Steve Wright  

Male mice are terrified of bananas

Male mice are terrified of bananas.

Scientists inadvertently made the discovery as they were studying the reaction of male mice to pregnant and lactating female mice.

The experts from McGill University in Canada discovered that hormonal shifts in male mice are triggered by a compound called n-pentyl acetate in females' urine - the same compound that gives bananas their distinctive smell.

Jeffrey Mogill, the study's senior author, said: "The whole thing came as a surprise, since we were not looking for this in particular and found it by accident.

"The pregnant females were in our lab for another experiment, and one of our grad students realised that the males began acting weird."

The team then purchased banana oil extract from a supermarket and placed it inside the cages of male mice and found that their stress levels increased drastically.

The stress response in the mice was found to be similar to the stress response when about to engage in a fight.

Reference: bangshowbiz.com