Beyond ‘Chimp Crazy’: Cy Vierstra of Union Ridge Wildlife Center

You met Cy Vierstra in the third episode of HBO’s Chimp Crazy, when he and Tonia Haddix described conspiring to concoct an illegal scheme to hide Tonka at Union Ridge Wildlife Center, a roadside zoo in Wilkesville, Ohio, where he warehoused wild animals.

After the explosive investigation into Tonka’s whereabouts, where is Vierstra now, and what happened to the other animals confined at Union Ridge Wildlife Center?

Many of Union Ridge Wildlife Center’s Former Prisoners Are Now Thriving

Tonka is living a fulfilling life at a sanctuary, and he’s not the only one. The Ohio Department of Agriculture rescued four chimpanzees—April, Anna, Lucy, and Cash—as well as two tigers, two snow macaques, and two spider monkeys from Union Ridge.

All these animals are now living their best lives at reputable sanctuaries that put their care first—unlike roadside zoos and private animal collectors.

How the Walls Closed In on Cy Vierstra

When Vierstra was a city official in Vinton, Ohio, he embezzled nearly $300,000 in city funds to expand his private roadside zoo—which he also rented as an Airbnb—with more animals, a hot tub, and new construction.

Criminal proceedings were already underway against Vierstra for theft and corruption. He then dug the hole even deeper for himself.

Cy Conspired to Hide Tonka

After we located Tonka, we learned that Vierstra had helped Haddix hide the chimpanzee at Union Ridge Wildlife Center for several months.

Cy had even attempted to help fake Tonka’s death by exhuming another chimpanzee’s mostly decomposed, decapitated body, which he shockingly admitted on camera to doing. The body belonged to Ricky, a chimpanzee Vierstra had kept locked up as part of his personal animal collection. In Chimp Crazy, it was revealed that he’d kept Ricky’s skull as a memento.

PETA’s Lawyers Pounced On Cy

With evidence that Tonka was illegally imported into Ohio without the appropriate state permit, our lawyers rushed a formal complaint to the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

This complaint led to an investigation that resulted in the nonrenewal of Vierstra’s state Dangerous Wild Animal permit for Union Ridge and the transfer of the dangerous wild animals in its custody to reputable sanctuaries.

Vierstra is currently serving a prison sentence for charges related to corruption during his time in office and is expected to be released in 2027.

Why Would the USDA Allow Union Ridge to Have a Federal License?

Cy Vierstra has repeatedly proved to regulatory bodies that he’s not trustworthy. He’s covered up critical animal welfare information and even allegedly faked three monkeys’ deaths in 2019 before helping Haddix attempt to fake Tonka’s.

So why is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) letting his miserable “sanctuary” keep its license? Now that Vierstra is in prison, Union Ridge is being operated by his partner under a new USDA license. It’s hard not to see how this could go wrong.  

PETA is calling on the agency to terminate Union Ridge’s federal license under the federal Animal Welfare Act. The facility was built, in part, with stolen money and used to aid crimes. Most importantly, it’s a terrible place for animals.

PETA Won’t Rest Until All Roadside Zoos Close

Thanks to our formal complaint to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, many of the animals Vierstra confined at Union Ridge Wildlife Center are living in peace at reputable sanctuaries. But animals are still languishing in enclosures at the facility. 

Two enclosures at Union Ridge Wildlife Center, before many animals there were rehomed.

PETA’s experts are also working to get animals out of roadside zoos elsewhere, as well as following up with the USDA about our complaint against Union Ridge Wildlife Center.

Take Action for Chimpanzees Exploited by Roadside Zoos and the Pet Trade

Chimp Crazy revealed an epidemic of cruelty involving humans who exploit chimpanzees across the country—always with tragic consequences.

To date, PETA has facilitated the rescue of over 24 chimpanzees, and we won’t stop working to get others who are still being exploited the care they deserve.

Please, help chimpanzees like Tonka by taking a series of rapid actions. This will take just a moment and mean the world to chimpanzees who have known only loneliness and exploitation: