Should rogue ape have the animal trait?

[iamarogue]

The rogue ape card has the Rogue and Ape traits. Which means that Link can't use him for animal trick. Is this intentional?

[Ethics Gradient]

Yes, it is intentional.  The designers of the physical version of the game even confirmed it a few years back.

 

[Rogue Ape is not an animal?]

 

The Rogue Ape is more like a "Planet of the Apes" ape.  As such, the creators of the game found him to be more of a sentient, intelligent ally, instead of just an animal.