1,361 kg of daily chimp food delivered by drone after Florida floods

Save the Chimps staff relied on a delivery drone this week to feed one of their 200 residents after heavy rains flooded the sanctuary near Fort Pierce, Florida. The animal, a 38-year-old chimpancé named Kaleb, was stranded in an isolated outdoor area when internal roads became impassable. The sanctuary reported that water levels began receding significantly by Saturday.

Ana Paula Tavares, the organization's chief executive officer, stated that storms soaked southeast and central Florida from Sunday through Tuesday. She noted that the chimp housing remained safe on elevated ground. Several veterinarians and other employees spent the night on the 150-acre property to ensure the animals received constant care.

Mark Yohannan, the facilities director, explained that overflowing canals covered the internal roads normally used to transport 1,361 kilograms of chimpanzee food daily via golf carts. A swamp vehicle assisted with initial deliveries but broke down shortly after. Staff then turned to a delivery drone, which the organization had purchased previously for such emergencies. The drone carried food and blankets to Kaleb until the chimpanzee moved to a more accessible location on his own.

Save the Chimps recorded video of Kaleb eating a banana from a paper bag dropped by the drone. The footage also showed him carefully crossing a rope bridge over standing water. For the rest of the chimp population, staff used trucks, including one maintenance worker's personal vehicle, and a tractor to deliver meals, medication, and other supplies. Yohannan stated that the chimpanzees received all their food, bananas, and oranges on time, adding that the animals had not skipped a single step.

Local wildlife also adapted to the flood conditions. Yohannan reported that a small alligator appeared near the sanctuary kitchen on Friday. The reptile likely used the floodwaters to traverse terrain it would not normally cross. By the night of Friday, water levels had dropped notably, and approximately 20% of the property's roads were clear by Saturday.

Widespread flooding in the area has made it difficult for employees to reach work and relieve their colleagues. Yohannan said the staff are in excellent spirits despite their fatigue. The organization is now asking the public for help to repair damaged buildings and equipment. One donor has agreed to match these contributions. Save the Chimps was founded in 1997 and has cared for nearly 350 chimpanzees from research labs, the pet trade, and the entertainment industry.