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Veterinary Clinic Progress

December 13, 2013 by J.B.

I’m happy to say we have more progress to report on the veterinary clinic!

With the help of our supporters and some generous foundations and businesses, we’ve been able to check more items off of our wishlist. Patrick and Carrie Hardie facilitated the donation of a steam autoclave, an automated external defibrillator (AED), and many other supplies. And Project V.E.T.S. has come through for us again. First, they connected us with Willamette Equine Veterinary Services in Oregon, who donated an automatic x-ray processor. Then, they awarded us with a grant that allowed us to shop for new and reconditioned equipment at apexx Veterinary Equipment, and apexx generously donated the first 25% of the cost of every item. This allowed us to purchase a laryngoscope set and an IV fluid pump (pictured below).

web project vets apexx donations

We’ve also been busy at the sanctuary making a place for the clinic next to the chimp building. One reason for this is this is that we don’t want to have to travel too far with an anesthetized chimpanzee on a stretcher. But more importantly, it’s best for the clinic to be in a secure environment in the event that a chimpanzee comes out of anesthesia unexpectedly. We could either reinforce the trailer to make it chimp proof, or simply park it within the perimeter fence that already surrounds the building. We chose to do the latter, but that entailed extending the fence 10 feet to the west, relocating the entry gate, and adding 60 feet of gravel driveway. Thankfully, volunteer Mark spent some cold mornings with us setting posts and running wire.

web clinic driveway construction

web mobile clinic at chimp house

With the fence modifications complete, we were also able to begin the installation of the wildfire sprinkler system, a project made possible by a grant from the ASPCA. A high-pressure pump will send water through PVC pipes around the base of the fence and up to sprinklers mounted on the tops of the fence posts. The pump will be powered by a generator and the sprinklers will soak the chimp house and surrounding area in the event of another wildfire.

web wildfire sprinkler installation

It goes without saying that the health and safety of the chimps is our top priority, so we are incredibly grateful to all of our supporters that make improvements like these possible. Thank you!

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Comments

  1. Kerri says

    December 13, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    ALLLLL of this is such a blessing! But it has me wondering……. Does it seem to you, that the more things that are added (fences, sprinklers, etc) the less natural (for lack of a better word) it feels? PLEASE dont get me wrong, next to the wild, CSNW is THE BEST place a chimp could be, HANDS DOWN! I just wonder if it, also, gets you in even more in the mood to work towards the goal that sanctuaries wont exist someday.

    • J.B. says

      December 14, 2013 at 7:54 am

      Hi Kerri – I totally understand what you’re saying, and I don’t take offense. But to be honest, it doesn’t really bother me at all. I think that humans are more focused on the look and feel of captivity than the chimps are. They want to run, play, climb, dig in the dirt, eat the grass and bamboo, and lay in the sun. If sprinklers or fence posts remind us all that we are not in the forests of Africa, then I’m OK with that.

      In some ways, I think zoos have conditioned us all to want to pretend that captive animals aren’t really captive. I say we do everything we can to give animals in sanctuary the best life possible, and learn to be comfortable with the things that make that life one that is safe, secure, and comfortable.

      But if these things also motivate us to work harder on ending the use of chimps in labs and entertainment…even better!

  2. Karen B says

    December 13, 2013 at 11:05 pm

    Great job, JB and those who helped you make this a reality!

  3. Kathleen says

    December 14, 2013 at 10:34 am

    This is great progress. You do not forget a single detail when it comes to creating a better life for the chimps. I am always amazed by everything you do at CSNW.

    I have a few questions about the wildfires. How serious is the threat of a wildfire coming close to your lovely enclosure? Do you have wildfires often and if so, how often within a calendar year? I used to live in California so I understand the threat of fire. Is your fire season similar to CA’s?

    Can’t wait to see how this project progresses!

    • J.B. says

      December 14, 2013 at 11:06 am

      Thanks, Kathleen. The chances of being caught in another wildfire are relatively low, but of course the consequences are so great that it is worth doing everything we can to prepare for it.

      Cle Elum has seen its share of wildfires in the past, and it seems like they are increasing in frequency and intensity. The Taylor Bridge Fire that nearly consumed the sanctuary in 2012 was the worst on record, but our volunteer fire departments and the DNR firefighters are regularly dealing with small wildfires in August and September in Central Washington. Most burn in uninhabited areas (uninhabited by humans, that is), and those that do burn near homes are usually contained quickly. But once and a while, when they conditions are just right, they pose a real risk.

      • Kathleen says

        December 15, 2013 at 8:55 am

        After posting my question regarding wildfires, I discovered the video of the Taylor Bridge Fire on your Pinterest page. Very worrisome indeed as the fire was right on top of you all. Amazing the chimps sat so calmly, I would think the smoke and the smell of smoke might cause anxiety and/or fear.

        Your fire situation sounds very similar to the situations in CA. I lived in Santa Barbara and they too see more fires these days. It is a worrisome process to wait out a fire.

        One lats question, your video notes that the chimp house is “fire resistant”, if the flames had come closer (or been more severe), how ‘safe’ is the structure and where would you go if you ever had to evacuate? The thought of it makes my head spin!

        So impressed (but not surprised with your loyal, loving followers) you have raised the funds to create the proper safeguard modifications to the fence system. Thank you for your reply, I find all this so fascinating. CSNW is amazing in all you do and in every way.

        • J.B. says

          December 15, 2013 at 10:38 am

          The main part of the chimp house consists of poured concrete walls with a metal roof and cement board siding. More importantly, it sits in a large clearing, which distances it from intense heat and embers and gives firefighters a safe space in which to work. So it’s safe enough for us to shelter-in-place, and even more so once we complete the exterior sprinkler system. Evacuating chimpanzees takes a long time, so it’s not a good plan for evading a fast-moving wildfire.

  4. Kathleen says

    December 16, 2013 at 6:34 pm

    Thank you JB for all this information. I hope you never experience such a close fire again.

  5. Nancy G says

    December 18, 2013 at 11:45 am

    The way I found CSNW was the Taylor Bridge Fire that destroyed your water lines. KUDOS for the help with the sprinkler system, we can all rest easy knowing if another fire does come close, it will help put it out. And the Chimps will be safe, which is #1. Love all of them but Foxie is my favorite girl.

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