World · North America · 11 hrs ago
Florida sanctuary uses drone to feed chimp cut off by floodwater
Heavy rain flooded Save the Chimps near Fort Pierce, Florida, this week, covering roads used to reach the sanctuary’s animals.
The sanctuary cares for about 200 chimpanzees, and staff normally use golf carts to deliver their food.
Floodwater left 38-year-old Kaleb cut off in an outdoor area after a vehicle used to cross the water broke down.
Staff sent him food and blankets by drone, and Kaleb later moved to a more accessible area on his own.
The sanctuary said all the chimpanzees stayed safe, while staff delivered food and medicine to the others by truck and tractor.
Water levels fell by Saturday, when about one-fifth of the property’s roads were clear.
The sanctuary is seeking donations to repair damaged buildings and equipment, and one donor has agreed to match contributions.
Flooding at a Florida chimpanzee sanctuary cut 38-year-old Kaleb off from regular access, so staff delivered him food and blankets by drone.
The sanctuary said all of its roughly 200 chimpanzees stayed safe during the heavy rain.
Floodwaters submerged internal roads normally used to deliver food by golf cart, and a high-clearance swamp buggy broke down.
Kaleb later moved on his own to a more accessible area.
By Saturday, the water had receded noticeably and about 20% of the property’s roads were clear.
- Who
- Kaleb, a 38-year-old chimpanzee at Save the Chimps, received food and blankets by drone.
- What
- Staff used a drone to deliver supplies to Kaleb after floodwater cut him off. He later moved to a more accessible area.
- When
- This week, during heavy rain and flooding in Florida.
- Where
- Save the Chimps sanctuary near Fort Pierce, Florida.
- Why
- Floodwater isolated Kaleb and submerged roads used to deliver food.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Rainstorms soaked southeast and central Florida, and floodwater submerged roads at the sanctuary.
Staff used a drone to bring Kaleb food and blankets after he was cut off by water.
A small alligator appeared near the sanctuary’s kitchen.
The water had receded noticeably overnight, and about 20% of the property’s roads were clear.
- Chimpanzees at sanctuary
- About 200
- Kaleb
- 38 years old
- Sanctuary location
- Near Fort Pierce, Florida
- Food delivered daily
- 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms)
- Roads clear by Saturday
- About 20%
4 sources
What people are saying
Chimps are getting all their food, bananas and oranges on time.
They’re good. They haven’t missed a beat.