Gertrude

Gertrude is the only resident of the Cedar Tree Villa that won’t accept food from the hopper. Over her seven and a half years living in the Blue Ridge Mountains, caregivers have learned that, in order to give her chow, fruit or vegetables, it must come through an opening at the bottom of the door. Any other delivery method just will not do for Gertrude! Your daughter might like apples but won’t eat them if they still have the peel. Well, chimpanzees can be just as particular.

At 12 years old, Gertrude was among the first group of our chimps to arrive at sanctuary, as was her sister Jennifer.