When historic flooding made it nearly impossible for caregivers at a Florida chimpanzee sanctuary to reach some of the animals in their care, staff members came up with an unusual solution: delivering bananas by drone.
And the moment one chimpanzee received his special delivery was caught on video.
Save the Chimps, a 150-acre sanctuary in Fort Pierce, Fla., is home to more than 200 rescued chimpanzees. But after approximately 19 inches of rain flooded the property earlier this week, staff members were forced to find creative ways to continue caring for the animals.
According to WPTV, the flooding has left roads underwater, damaged equipment and made it difficult for employees to travel around the sprawling sanctuary.
The situation is particularly challenging because the chimpanzees live in groups on islands throughout the property, with care houses located on higher ground.
Fortunately, the animals are safe. But getting food and other supplies to them has required some unusual transportation methods.
In video shared by Save the Chimps, a drone can be seen dropping a paper bag of food to a chimpanzee named Kaleb, who retrieves a banana and begins eating it.
The sanctuary has also used drones to deliver blankets, while staff members have relied on tractors, trailers and other large vehicles to navigate flooded areas.
View this post on InstagramThe flooding has taken a significant toll on the sanctuary’s equipment.
Mark Yohannan, the organization’s director of facilities, told WPTV that nearly 15 golf carts used to transport staff members, food and supplies have broken down.
The sanctuary also lost access to a donated swamp buggy that had been helping workers navigate the flooded property.
Yohannan described the flooding as the worst the sanctuary has experienced in its 25 years in Fort Pierce.
Despite the challenges, he emphasized that the chimpanzees have continued receiving their regular food, medication, blankets and enrichment activities.
“They haven’t missed a beat,” he told WPTV.
Save the Chimps CEO Ana Paula Tavares also confirmed that the animals are safe, explaining that their elevated living areas have helped protect them from the floodwaters.
However, standing water throughout the property and surrounding area has made it difficult for some employees to reach work, creating additional challenges for the sanctuary’s staff.
The organization, which provides permanent homes to chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, the entertainment industry and the exotic pet trade, is now asking the community for help.
According to WPTV, the sanctuary is seeking temporary access to taller four-wheel-drive vehicles that can safely transport workers and supplies while the floodwaters remain.
The organization is also accepting donations to help cover recovery costs, including repairs to damaged roads, buildings and equipment.
For now, the sanctuary’s caregivers are continuing to improvise to make sure the animals receive everything they need.
And thanks to one particularly creative solution, at least one chimpanzee has already discovered what happens when his bananas arrive by air.
Related: Young Manatee Rescued Alongside Her Injured Mother Gets a New Home at Disney World
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