Rocky the Chimp

Rocky the Chimp custody battle

In 1998 I worked as a photographer on a story for the Star-Banner, Ocala, Florida,   about a custody battle of  a celebrity Chimpanzee named Rocky.  A family was caring for Rocky at home in Umatilla, Florida.

Dissolved business partnership of Rocky’s owners and trainers at Amazing Animals Affection Training Center in Florida left the chimp’s ownership in doubt, but custody finally went to Yvonne and Justin Finser, pictured in my photographers, 1998.

Short list of TV  shows for Rocky includes:
“The Late Show with David Letterman”
“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
“Good Morning America”
“Baywatch”
“The Today Show”

Rock the Chimp – Rocky the chimp at home with his family and owners Yvonne and Justin Finser, Umatilla, Florida, 1998. Photo by Jannet Walsh, STAR-BANNER, Ocala, Florida.

Rock the Chimp – Rocky the chimp at home with his family and owners Yvonne and Justin Finser, Umatilla, Florida, 1998. Photo by Jannet Walsh, STAR-BANNER, Ocala, Florida.

Rock the Chimp – Rocky the chimp at home with his family and owners Yvonne and Justin Finser, Umatilla, Florida, 1998. Photo by Jannet Walsh, STAR-BANNER, Ocala, Florida.

Rock the Chimp – Rocky the chimp at home with his family and owners Yvonne and Justin Finser, Umatilla, Florida, 1998. Photo by Jannet Walsh, STAR-BANNER, Ocala, Florida.

Rock the Chimp – Rocky the chimp at home with his family and owners Yvonne and Justin Finser, Umatilla, Florida, 1998. Photo by Jannet Walsh, STAR-BANNER, Ocala, Florida.

Rock the Chimp – Rocky the chimp at home with his family and owners Yvonne and Justin Finser, Umatilla, Florida, 1998. Photo by Jannet Walsh, STAR-BANNER, Ocala, Florida.