Chimp sanctuary delivers an ape’s food by drone amid Florida floods
A Florida chimpanzee sanctuary was forced to deliver food to one of its 200 apes using a drone this week due to heavy rain flooding the property. All 200 apes remained safe, and the water began to recede significantly on Saturday, according to the organization. The chimpanzee sanctuary, known as Save the Chimps, stated that the care houses were secure on high ground during the heavy rainfall from Sunday through Tuesday.
Some veterinarians and employees stayed overnight on the 150-acre property near Fort Pierce to ensure the animals' well-being. The internal roads that were typically used to transport 3,000 pounds of chimp food daily via golf carts became submerged, rendering them unusable. A high-clearance swamp buggy also broke down during the emergency.
One chimp, named Kaleb, was left in an outdoor area cut off by the water. The organization purchased a delivery drone for emergencies like this. Staff members used the drone to provide Kaleb with food and blankets until he navigated his way back using a rope bridge across the standing water. The organization captured video footage of Kaleb eating a banana from a paper bag dropped by the drone and steadily crossing the rope bridge.
Other apes were delivered meals, medicine, and other necessities using trucks, including a personal vehicle of a maintenance worker, and a tractor. The water level decreased overnight on Friday, and around 20% of the property's roads were clear by Saturday. Despite the widespread flooding in the area, making it difficult for employees to reach the sanctuary and assist their colleagues, everyone remained in excellent spirits, despite their exhaustion.
The organization is seeking public assistance to repair damaged buildings and equipment, and one donor has agreed to match such contributions. Save the Chimps was established in 1997 and has since cared for nearly 350 chimpanzees from various backgrounds, including research laboratories, the pet trade, and the entertainment industry.
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