Hello, my name is
Vicky

About Me

Vicky’s early history remains largely unknown, though it is likely that she was born in Africa in the early 1970s. During that time, young chimpanzees were often taken from the wild and exported to the United States for biomedical research and the pet trade. Tragically, Vicky likely witnessed the death of her mother and other members of her group during her capture. She spent most of her life as a pet, first with a family who kept her until 1975, and then with a second family for the next 34 years. As a young chimp, she was described as delicate and gentle, often referred to as “the little lady.” In 1981, she was joined by Billy, a young male chimp, and the two grew up together like siblings. However, as they matured, they became too strong to live in a human household safely and were confined to a cage. Over time, the cage fell into disrepair, and state wildlife officials determined that they needed to be relocated. Fortunately, Save the Chimps stepped in, providing Vicky and Billy with lifetime care at our sanctuary in Florida.

Now, Vicky enjoys life on an expansive three-acre island, complete with grass, hills, trees, climbing structures, platforms, and swings. Most importantly, she has the companionship of an entire chimpanzee family. Many former pet chimpanzees struggle to integrate into chimp society, but Vicky adapted at lightning speed. She eagerly greeted every new chimp she met with a hug, showing boldness, confidence, and gentleness in her introductions to Tanya’s Family.

When Gabe was born at the sanctuary (from a failed vasectomy), Vicky instantly took a special liking to him and became a loving presence in his life. She is often referred to as Gabe’s “adopted grandmother,” having helped Gabby, his mother, with raising him. Despite being an elderly chimpanzee, Vicky is often seen laughing and playing with Gabe, engaging in much more rambunctious play than is typically demonstrated by older chimpanzees.

Vicky loves to create big, beautiful nests, incorporating blankets, hay, toys, and browse, which the sanctuary provides. She spends a lot of time intricately building these nests for herself, ensuring they’re cozy and inviting.

Vicky’s favorite food is corn. After meals, she often goes around collecting any scraps of corn or cobs left behind by the other residents. She can be quite bold and sometimes tries to steal corn from higher-ranking chimpanzees, showing her cheeky side!

She is a beloved member of Tanya’s group, known for her bold and sassy personality, balanced by her incredible gentleness and patience. Vicky’s resilience, warmth, and charm have made her deeply cherished by both her chimpanzee family and her caregivers.