Overview
- Heavy rains flooded eastern Florida and overflowed canals on the 150-acre Save the Chimps property, submerging internal roads and blocking the golf-cart routes used to move roughly 3,000 pounds of food each day.
- Staffers used a pre-purchased delivery drone to bring food and blankets to a 38-year-old chimp named Kaleb after standing water cut off his outdoor area, and the sanctuary released video showing him taking a drone-dropped bag.
- Veterinarians and other employees stayed on site overnight and used a swamp buggy, trucks, a tractor and a personal vehicle to reach and care for other apes when regular access failed.
- Save the Chimps says all residents are safe but the property suffered significant damage that will require road resurfacing, roof repairs, mold remediation and replacement of damaged vehicles and equipment.
- Florida officials issued an emergency declaration for multiple counties as waters began to recede and the sanctuary is asking for assistance to support recovery and ongoing animal care.