Azalea, the smoking chimpanzee, is a star at Central Zoo in Pyongyang, North Korea.

The 19-year-old female chimp smokes about a pack of cigarettes a day, according to the zoo. They say she doesn’t inhale, however.

According to the Associated Press, visitors roared with laughter while watching her smoke. If given a lighter, she is able to light her own cigarette. She can also light up off an already lit cigarette.

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Thousands of people visit the zoo each day. It is home to two chimps.

The Central Zoo also features performances by other animals trained to do tricks, including a monkey who can slam dunk, dogs who appear to do addition and subtraction, and does that land on a woman skating on a stage.

– Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. 

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Instructor Daniel Jean-Baptiste reminds students to "measure twice, cut once" while using a hand saw at the Construction Ready accelerated summer program at Westside Works in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The program provides training for careers in construction and the skilled trades. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com