In recent weeks, we’ve implemented a number of precautionary measures to prevent the chimpanzees from being exposed to the coronavirus. At the same time, we’re ramping up routine health monitoring to aid in early detection should a chimpanzee become ill. Thanks to years of positive reinforcement training, body temperatures can be collected quickly and easily at mealtimes. Chimps, like humans, exhibit individual variation in baseline temperatures and temperature readings vary depending on how they are obtained (no-contact, oral, rectal, armpit, etc.). But by collecting temperatures routinely and consistently we can notice trends that could indicate infection before other clinical symptoms appear.
Mave, Honey B, and Willy B, our newest residents, learned quickly and are also enjoying this daily routine!
That was better as fun as meal time! Knowing you were handing out tomatoes, I was surprised and laughing over Missy offering her lips instead of her face — Miss Smartypants. Thanks for sharing the process. Gotta say nothing makes me happier than seeing everyone all lined up, bronx cheering and grunting for veggies. Luv!
It was like she was in a negotiation! “Until I see some grapes in that briefcase, lady, all you get are these lips, got it?!” 😀
What a joy it would be to open the door to see 7 chimps hanging on the wall, waiting to see me. And Missy, almost giving a raspberry to temperature collection! ?
You guys are amazing. I’m so impressed with the way you care for these very special individuals. I wish we not-so-hairy apes had leaders who were as concerned about our well being.
Is that Anna, back already?!
NOW I know why you don’t give them grapes a lot! Except for Missy, they were all lining up as soon as they saw those grapes!
Was that Jody growling over the carrots? Sounded like her, but I could only see Burrito and Foxie
Interesting to see the process!
No, Anna’s on leave for a little while longer. That’s Lisa, our only remaining volunteer 🙂
Hi, Jeeb,
So, I’m curious about something. Is there some reason I am not aware of why you guys are referring to it as the coronavirus? I am not being a smart a**, I am truly curious. As a science educator, in the last few days I’ve had to do a ton of research about the actual science of what’s happening to us and that includes helping others understand why they shouldn’t be dumping their household pets in shelters. Just need to know what I’m missing, if anything.
Thanks for the great video, but as usual, needs ta be LONGER!! 😀
Cheers, keep staying safe!
Do you mean as opposed to calling it SARS-CoV2?
Yes, or to say we’re fighting the Covid-19 disease, which is more accurate. I see news stations doing it on every channel, and I’m just not sure of the reason behind it, but then reading how y’all have been in continuous conference with your vets and then seeing it referred to in this way, well, I just have to know if I’m missing some piece of crucial information.
You remember I have Asperger’s, so I filter everything through my logic filter, and I’m confused, especially since we live every day with 2 popular coronavirus members: CCRCoV (I think –> CID) which is Kennel cough, and Rhino virus.
So, that’s why I’m wondering. 🙂
Oh, and as a Lupus patient, I heard last week that they think Plaquenil may be successful in treating Covid-19. Have you received any of that news? Has that drug ever been successful in treating malaria in chimps, or have there been any on record contract it, or do you know?
Thanks so much! I really do appreciate it. I know folks think my questions are unnecessary and they see me as a pain in the arse, but it’s the only way I can learn so I truly appreciate you taking the time. <3
I think this is just one of those situations where society’s language around an issue evolves in real time. Of course, early on it was known as “novel coronavirus” which was somewhat more precise but considered a mouthful, I guess. It’s not just the media. If you look online, you’ll also find the CDC, NIAID, and NIH refer to it as “coronavirus” (e.g., https://www.coronavirus.gov/). It’s true that SARS-CoV2 is just one of many coronaviruses, but people know we’re not in the midst of a global kennel cough pandemic so if it’s good enough for our federal health agencies, it’s good enough for us 🙂
I don’t know anything at all about the use of Plaquenil in chimps, but a related drug, chloroquine phosphate, is listed in our nonhuman primate formulary so that has been used and deemed safe in chimps. This is way outside my domain, but from what I’ve read chimps do not normally exhibit symptoms from Plasmodium infections; however they are natural hosts for some Plasmodium species and there have been cases of Malaria-like illnesses in captive and semi-captive environments. There are also reports of host-specific Plasmodium crossing species barriers (gorilla to chimp, human to chimp, etc.) when apes are in close contact such as a sanctuary, which could explain the pathogenicity seen in the above-mentioned cases. But again, my knowledge of this is only as good as a google search.
You wrote: “If you look online, you’ll also find the CDC, NIAID, and NIH refer to it as ‘coronavirus’….”
Puh, tell me about it! It’s making me even more insane than I am!
And while I laughed out loud at your kennel cough point, I think either the governmental agencies forgot or didn’t think it mattered that they would be confusing the general public by calling it coronavirus instead of the disease, Covid-19, which is the most accurate, especially when viruses develop into diseases. We never call in sick because we’re suffering from rhino virus, we’re suffering from the common cold.
I am happy and stunned to say that last night I just got so fed up with one of our local news stations that I called to complain about their incorrect nomenclature, and I nearly fell over tonight when I heard every single one of their reporters call it Covid-19 pandemic, AND they corrected the URL on their web-site!! The lady hung up on me last night but I guess the news director heard the call today because it really did make a difference.
I think since we’ve had 2 previous encounters with viruses that are part of this collection (SARS-CoV in 2003 and MERS-CoV in 2013) it would have been less confusing to call it the disease from the start. I had a LOT of questions to field about it as a science educator. But, I’ll be glad when it’s over. I’m just a lowly astrophysicist and applied mathematician. ;P
That’s interesting information on the C_18H_32ClN_3O_8P_2 and thank-you for taking the time to provide what you knew. I just Googled it myself and find it fascinating that yes, chimps do get malaria, but I think these are groups in the wild, so therefore there’s no record about Plaquenil’s efficacy. I’ll probably read more about it later on, but you got me thinking! Our university has switched to all online classes but I didn’t have any zoological classes this semester so that makes it a great time to read up on some of these light reading subjects.
As always, appreciate you, Jeeb! Cheers. <3
Looks like Neggie was willing to go again, for more grapes!
How awesome! So glad I got to see sweet Annie lean in to have her temp taken.
And yes, Missy offering her lips was pretty cute!!
What is it about watching them eat that is so satisfying?? hahaha I guess the lip-smacking!! Lovie it! Love and hugs to you all…
Have you ever heard their food-grunts and food-squeaks then??
Hello everyone. I’m glad to see that our Chimps are doing well. And the staff, too.
I also get much enjoyment watching these beloved chimps get excited over food…(particularly at their very own parties when we can see them racing around with a Dixie cup in one hand while their mouthes, feet, & other arm are stuffed full of their favorite treats…It makes me laugh so hard…
I half expected Mr. BurBur to skillfully hide his carrot so he could pretend you forgot him, so he could have his temp taken “again”, in hopes of scoring another tasty treat…It sure sounded like he was thoroughly enjoying that big orange carrot, while he was loudly gnoshing away…All those enthusiastic sounds they make upon their food services & evening treat bags, really tugs right at my heart…Thank goodness these beautiful innocent souls, deserving of only the best of everything possible, have such a caring, loving & devoted Team as yourselves, to gladly provide for their every need & good health…
Bless you …BIG friendly Hugs to all
really enjoyed this video but while watching it I was wondering do you have a secured spot to place a chimp to isolate him/her from the others if you suspect one is coming down with the virus? Also do any of the chimps have a favorite caretaker that they react to when they arrive at the sanctuary.
We’ve been planning for that contingency. We don’t have any enclosures that are isolated from the others to the extent that they would completely prevent exposure to aerosolized viruses. However, we do have enclosures that would prevent physical contact and fluid exchange and that would be our first step. In an extreme event, we do have lab cages that could be used to house an infected chimpanzee in true quarantine in another building on the property. In either case, staff members, tools, and supplies would be dedicated to the quarantined chimp only to prevent further spread. Sadly, chimps have so much contact with one another that preventing transmission before infection is identified would be difficult – that’s why we’re invested in preventing exposure.
And yes, the chimps do have favorite staff and volunteers, though their favorites can vary day to day. When they see a good friend come to the chimp house, they will invite a game of chase, ask to groom, or blow raspberries until you drop what you are doing and go see them.
What a humbling honor it must be to have one of these precious chimps choose YOU, personally, to engage with them in some activity…I’m trying to imagine what that must feel like…
I agree, Debi!
That is wonderful news. Seems like you all are on top of everything at the
sanctuary. So nice to hear. Keep up the good work and keep those chimps
happy and healthy. Thank you.
I loved watching the chimps enjoy the treats! They so thoroughly enjoyed themselves with head bobbing,lipsmacking, and grunts. The staff’s skillful temperature taking brought a smile to my face.