Resident since 2011
Sponsorship from £40 / year
Western Chimpanzee
Chimpanzee
Ronnie
Speaks sign language. Tells visitors to take off their glasses, hats and coats.
Resident since 2007
Story
How Ronnie came to Wales
Ronnie was born on 23 July 1987 at the Ruhr Zoo in Germany. His parents were King and Lady; his brother Laki was sent to Loro Parque on Tenerife, leaving Ronnie alone in Gelsenkirchen. As a juvenile he reportedly spent a lot of time with a young orang-utan, which the keepers think shaped how easy-going he is now.
He arrived at the sanctuary on 9 June 2007 after a road trip across Europe. P&O Ferries donated the crossing and the BBC Animal 24/7 crew filmed the rescue.
Ronnie is famously easy-going and loveable. He uses sign language, learned in Germany, to instruct visitors to take off their glasses, hats and coats. He is now teaching Bili.
Key dates
The timeline
Born
23 July 1987
Birthplace
Ruhr Zoo, Germany
Arrived at WAMS
9 June 2007
Day to day
Things Ronnie likes
Favourite foods
- crisps
- yoghurts
- ice lollies
Trivia
- Sign language fluent
- Crossing donated by P&O Ferries
- Teaching Bili sign language
- Featured on BBC Animal 24/7
Sponsor
Adopt Ronnie
For £40 a year you can sponsor Ronnie directly. The pack includes a certificate, biography, and a year's free admission.
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