Many of you are likely wondering about the risk of the COVID-19 coronavirus to the chimps. This is something we are taking seriously, given our proximity to the known areas of community transmission in and around Seattle. While we don’t know precisely how this virus would affect a chimpanzee, we are determined not to find out. Staff and volunteers are following strict hygiene and disinfection protocols and wearing gloves and masks whenever they are in and around the facility, not just when they are in the chimpanzee areas. Planning meetings usually held in person are now being held by phone. And after consulting with our Direct Care Committee, a committee of our Board of Directors made up of veterinarians and primatologists (including a veterinarian that specializes in infectious disease and global pandemics), we decided to suspend all volunteer shifts for people who live and/or work in the greater Seattle area for the time being. Other restrictions will be put in place as needed as we follow the progression of this virus.
While the humans must adapt to a new way of working, it’s business as usual for the chimps.
This morning, Foxie immediately wanted to play a game with her trolls in the “foot box” (a contraption we built to allow for x-rays of the chimps’ hands and feet).
Lunch was a casual affair. The chimps love to sit in the fire hose swings at mealtime. While the caregivers are willing to squat down to the chimps’ level to serve them food, the chimps prefer to come up to our height and will often move barrels and benches up to the caging to make this possible. I doubt this is out of any concern for our ageing knees but rather to be positioned right at eye level when trying to get our attention for more food.
Burrito took a number of walks around the hill today. At one point, he and Jamie started running, which I took as an invitation to play. However, I soon realized that they had spotted a herd of 13 deer near the top of the hill and they were attempting to chase them off into the woods. Mission accomplished.
The two groups at CSNW spent most of the day in relative harmony, but early in the afternoon Willy B got some ants in his pants and decided to display in the Chute. Screams and threat barks were exchanged but before long everyone was more interested in dinner.
The chimps all have their own individual habits when bedding down for the night – where they sleep, how they create their nests, etc. Honey B likes to make a comfortable bed on the heated floor and then pull the covers halfway up.
Sleep tight, Honey B.
Thank you for taking such good care of the chimps and taking precautions to keep them healthy and safe!
I’m always so impressed by the resources available to you (primatologists (including a veterinarian that specializes in infectious disease and global pandemics)). So great to know that the chimps are (still- and always) safe with you!
Thank you so much for this post. I have been wondering about the Sanctuary and your safety since the virus was identified in the nearby area. We are glad to hear about the strict precautions you have in place along with the excellent medical advisors you are in contact with. Stay safe and be well.
Hi, Jeeb,
One question. The CDC has been screaming that masks are ineffective against this and other flus, and because folks have gone crazy with them there’s now shortages. Especially for this, they at least know the particles are too small to be captured by the masks, so the only time they state to wear one is if a person has already contracted the virus and they need to go outside, or if you’re a caregiver of an affected patient.
Are your veterinarians and primatologists disagreeing with those recommendations by the CDC and WHO for some reason? As someone minoring in primatology, I am quite curious about their recommendations and reasons.
Thanks, and cheers.
Face masks prevent contamination of surrounding areas by those infected with COVID-19 (or other viruses) through coughs and sneezes. While our policies prevent staff and volunteers from working when they are symptomatic, many viruses can be transmitted by those who have yet to show any symptoms. So while masks would likely not prevent us from getting sick from aerosolized pathogens, they are effective against the risk that we would unwittingly transmit the virus to the chimpanzees through larger particles of bodily fluids from coughs and sneezes.
Thanks for the update on the preventive measure being taken, I was concerned about the staff and our pals. I know the chimps are grown-ups but I couldn’t helping noticing those toes wrapped around the caging and wanting to pull on those piggies like we do with babies.
Be safe everyone! Have a good night’s sleep guys and gals. OX OX
Thanks for the update J.B., I’m guilty of worrying about you and your staff and the chimps knowing the virus is in WA. But yes, it looks like business as usual for the chimps and I find that extremely comforting. I enjoying seeing the chimps (Missy!) in their firehose swings as they hangout at meal time. Burrito must be feeling well if he is charging off to protect the sanctuary from a herd of devious deer. (I could use Jamie and Burrito in my yard!) And I can’t stop laughing at the photos of The Seven clamoring for the best view out the windows to see what Willy B is up to in his chute. Neggie has the best seat in the house. Something tells me Neggie may have been plunked down right there day dreaming out her special window long before Willy B began showing off. That photo is THE best, it’s like a Norman Rockwell painting. : )
Two words — Honey B. Her deadpan looks simply kill me. She is stealing my heart a little bit more each and every day. Sweet dreams to all. Stay healthy.
Thank you for all the love and care you provide the CleElum 10! Please take care of yourselves along with our special 10! Love and Prayers!
thanks, JB for answering all the questions I had about what is going on by you and caretakers being so close to the confirmed cases of Coronavirus. It’s no surprise to any of us that precautions backed by real medical facts were being put in place for the protection of all. I wonder if there was any reaction by the Chimps when you all came with whit masks on your faces????
Hi Elaine – Staff and volunteers have worn masks before (either out of an abundance of caution during flu and cold outbreaks or during quarantine periods) and the chimps don’t seem to care much at all.
Even as I dearly hope that none of the caretakers, cattle, chimpanzees, canines, cats and kindred spirits encounter the Bug, I do hope that the bugs in Willy B’s britches serve as an incentive for him to try out the Great Outdoors of the Great Northwest. After all, those deer were getting just a little too close for Jamie and Burrito’s liking.
I assumed you guys would have some sort of plan in place.
Thank you for getting that photo of the rock star’s groupies hanging on to 1 window!
And Neggie softly hooting from the catwalk…
My question was removed??
And now I’m being moderated AGAIN.
That’s it, I’m DONE.
Carla – Your question about the efficacy of masks wasn’t removed, if that’s what you are referring to. Did you attempt to post another question? As for the moderation of comments, WordPress often does this (not just to you) based on IP address or other issues and we approve them as soon as we see them.
I have WP too, and there’s a way you can choose to put folks on the list to not be moderated.
I kept logging in all day on the 7th and the *only* thing the blog was showing were two comments. The only time it showed me other comments was when I posted my first one asking about the questions. Only then did it show me the others. I get so frustrated when this happens, and it seems to happen quite frequently.
And I click the check-box and click it, but it NEVER notifies me of new replies by e-mail! If I want to know if someone replied, I have to write down the date I posted and then keep returning to that date. I’ve never heard of anyone else having this problem. Have you guys??
I have WP too, and there’s a way you can choose to put folks on the list to not be moderated.
I kept logging in all day on the 7th and the *only* thing the blog was showing were two comments. The only time it showed me other comments was when I posted my first one asking about the questions. Only then did it show me the others. I get so frustrated when this happens, and it seems to happen quite frequently.
And I click the check-box and click it, but it NEVER notifies me of new replies by e-mail! If I want to know if someone replied, I have to write down the date I posted and then keep returning to that date. I’ve never heard of anyone else having this problem. Have you guys?? And you can go ahead and remove that first post where I’m asking about the question, and thanks for answering. Out of 22 deaths from this virus, 18 have been in WA state.
Hi Carla,
This may be too late for you to see….but yrs, it happens to me. However, I just click on the “refresh” button and my comment appears. And I also have the box ticked, but never get notices.
Thanks for letting me know. Refreshing never helps. The two times it’s happened I’ve had to post a new question for it to release the new info. If I’m on my Windows box, I can merely hold the shift key while refreshing, which forces it to reload direct from the server. But on a phone you can’t do that. But glad I’m not alone!
Bummer, …
On my phone (Android), the little refresh arrow works every time, otherwise, my own comments won’t appear. At least you know you’re not alone!