The Disturbing Story of Azalea the Smoking Chimpanzee

Introduction

Inside the Korea Central Zoo in Pyongyang, North Korea, one chimpanzee became internationally famous not for intelligence, conservation, or rare animal behavior, but for smoking cigarettes in front of crowds.

Her name is Azalea.

Since the zoo reopened in 2016 following modernization efforts ordered by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Azalea has remained one of the facility’s most talked-about attractions. Visitors gather around her enclosure to watch unusual performances that include dancing, bowing, responding to commands, and most controversially, smoking cigarettes.

What began as entertainment inside the zoo eventually sparked global criticism from animal rights organizations and international observers who questioned the ethics of training an animal to use tobacco products for public amusement.

A Zoo Reopens Under Modernization Plans

The Korea Central Zoo, located in Pyongyang, underwent major renovations before reopening to the public in 2016. State media presented the updated zoo as part of broader modernization projects within the capital city.

New facilities, renovated animal enclosures, and public attractions were introduced to draw larger crowds and improve the visitor experience. Among the animals receiving the most attention was Azalea, a chimpanzee trained to perform human-like behaviors for audiences.

Chimpanzees are known for their high intelligence and ability to imitate actions after repeated training. Around the world, they have historically been used in entertainment acts, commercials, and stage performances because of their ability to mimic human behavior.

However, Azalea’s performances quickly drew attention for a very different reason.

The Smoking Demonstrations

During public demonstrations, zoo staff reportedly tossed Azalea cigarettes and lighters while spectators watched from outside the enclosure.

According to multiple reports and videos shared internationally, Azalea learned how to light cigarettes herself using a lighter. When no lighter was available, she was also able to ignite a fresh cigarette by touching it to the lit end of another one.

Crowds reportedly laughed and applauded as the chimpanzee smoked in front of visitors.

The performances became one of the zoo’s most recognizable attractions and generated significant international media attention after videos spread online.

Animal experts noted that chimpanzees are highly trainable and capable of repeating behaviors through conditioning and reward systems. However, critics argued that training an animal to smoke for entertainment crossed ethical boundaries.

Concerns From Animal Rights Organizations

As footage of Azalea circulated globally, animal welfare groups strongly criticized the zoo and called for an end to the performances.

Among the most vocal critics was PETA president Ingrid Newkirk, who publicly condemned the practice and described it as cruel to intentionally expose a chimpanzee to nicotine for entertainment purposes.

Animal rights organizations argued that chimpanzees share many biological similarities with humans and can suffer negative health effects from tobacco exposure. They also warned that encouraging addictive behavior in an intelligent animal raised serious welfare concerns.

Critics emphasized that chimpanzees possess advanced emotional and cognitive abilities, making questions about their treatment especially significant.

The Zoo’s Official Response

In response to international criticism, zoo officials reportedly defended the performances by claiming that Azalea did not inhale cigarette smoke.

The explanation became widely discussed online, with many people questioning whether the distinction meaningfully addressed the underlying concerns surrounding nicotine exposure and animal welfare.

Despite criticism, reports indicated that the performances continued attracting visitors and remained part of Azalea’s public image.

International attention surrounding the story also highlighted broader cultural and political differences in attitudes toward smoking.

Smoking Culture in North Korea

North Korea has historically had high smoking rates, particularly among adult men. Public health studies and international reporting have estimated that a significant percentage of adult males in the country smoke regularly.

Smoking has long been socially normalized in many parts of North Korean society, despite growing global awareness about health risks associated with tobacco use.

Observers noted that this broader cultural context may partly explain why Azalea’s performances did not initially generate the same level of domestic controversy that emerged internationally.

Still, outside critics argued that using a chimpanzee in smoking demonstrations went far beyond ordinary cultural attitudes toward tobacco.

The Intelligence of Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are among the most intelligent animals on Earth. Scientific studies have shown they can use tools, solve complex problems, recognize themselves in mirrors, and learn sequences of actions through observation and repetition.

Because of these cognitive abilities, chimpanzees often develop strong behavioral habits through training and conditioning.

Experts explain that intelligent animals can form repetitive routines tied to rewards, making certain trained behaviors difficult to reverse once established over long periods.

This raised additional concerns among animal welfare advocates who believed Azalea may have developed dependency-like behavior associated with nicotine exposure and repetitive conditioning.

Entertainment Versus Animal Welfare

The debate surrounding Azalea reflects a broader global discussion about animals used for entertainment.

Over recent decades, many countries have introduced stricter regulations on animal performances in circuses, marine parks, roadside attractions, and zoos. Public attitudes have increasingly shifted toward emphasizing conservation, enrichment, and ethical treatment rather than spectacle-based performances.

Supporters of animal welfare reforms argue that highly intelligent species such as chimpanzees should not be trained to imitate harmful human behaviors simply for amusement.

Others point out that older forms of animal entertainment were once widely accepted before changing social standards led to increased scrutiny.

International Reactions

The story of Azalea generated strong reactions across social media and international news coverage because it combined shock, curiosity, and ethical controversy.

Some viewers initially treated the footage as bizarre entertainment, while others expressed immediate discomfort over the idea of a chimpanzee smoking cigarettes in front of crowds.

The unusual nature of the story caused it to spread rapidly online, turning Azalea into one of the most recognizable zoo animals associated with controversy in recent years.

Even years later, discussions about the chimpanzee continue appearing in articles and social media posts examining animal welfare and unusual zoo practices around the world.

Conclusion

Azalea the chimpanzee became internationally famous after videos showed her smoking cigarettes at the Korea Central Zoo in Pyongyang. Trained to light cigarettes and perform for audiences, she quickly became one of the zoo’s most controversial attractions.

While zoo officials defended the performances by claiming she did not inhale, animal rights groups strongly criticized the practice and raised concerns about animal welfare, conditioning, and nicotine exposure.

The story continues to spark debate about the treatment of intelligent animals in entertainment settings and how public attitudes toward animal performances have evolved over time.

For many observers, Azalea’s story remains both fascinating and deeply unsettling—a reminder that entertainment and ethics do not always move in the same direction.