World's oldest chimp stages comeback

PALM SPRINGS, Calif., June 30 (UPI) -- The Palm Springs, Calif., owners of a chimp who played Tarzan's sidekick in the 1930s and 1940s said the 76-year-old animal has a DVD and book on the way.

Dan Westfall said Cheeta the chimpanzee, who is certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest living simian in the world, has a memoir, "Me Cheeta," due out in February and a song, a cover of 1976 country tune "Convoy," will be available for download on iTunes, the New York Post reported Monday.

A music video for the song starring Cheeta will also be available for purchase.

Westfall said Cheeta, whose last movie role was as Chee-Chee in 1976's "Doctor Dolittle," suffers from Type 2 diabetes, but he doesn't shy away from the treatments.

"When he sees the needle, he holds his hands out," Westfall said.

Westfall said the chimpanzee has also created a number of abstract paintings that have been auctioned to benefit primate shelters. Some of the paintings have sold for as much as $10,000, he said.

He also makes abstract paintings that have raked in as much as $10,000 at auction. The money goes to primate shelters.