How we adapt to Covid-19
Nine months into the pandemic, it is clear that Covid-19 will be a factor long-term. That leaves sanctuaries like Project Chimps to make the decision around moving forward safely or remaining at a standstill.
We have made the decision to move forward-safely.
We continue to watch the bulletins coming to us from the Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Preparedness, Response and Recovery Fusion Center (ZAHP), an industry leader, for guidance, as well as the CDC, and our federal, state and county governments. And we’ve made changes throughout the past few months to how we operate. We have tested new routines and setups and confirmed that we can be safe, keep the chimps safe, and still continue towards our ultimate goal – to provide exemplary care and to focus on bringing all the chimps still at the lab to sanctuary.
Here are some of the things we are doing now, with the caveat that the situation remains fluid and that we will continue to have monthly discussions to adjust based on our continued evaluation and government and industry recommendations:
Staff and Volunteers Onsite
We have continued to allow staff who can work from home to do so on a flexible schedule. Our daily morning meetings are held over Zoom to limit the number of bodies inside any one meeting room. Many one on one meetings are also held over Zoom, even if both employees are on property to continue to promote social distancing where it is practical.
Volunteer and intern programs are in full swing. Orientations are held over Zoom and on-site trainings do not begin until the new individuals have completed all their pre-qualifying checks.
We have maintained increased sanitation routines in human areas and provide extra personal protective equipment. All staff members and volunteers are reminded to self-monitor and to call out, no questions asked, if feeling unwell.
Chimp Care
While it still remains unclear if great apes can contract COVID-19, the ZAHP Great Ape-specific taxonomies recommend that non-essential personnel only approach within 6 feet of captive great apes in areas not separated by solid glass. We therefore continue to restrict all access inside chimp villas to essential personnel only.
Previously put on hold due the degree of closer contact that staff would need to work with the chimps, we have now resumed introductions and basic behavior trainings. It had also been recommended by our consulting veterinarian that elective medical producers be put on hold as well, that restriction is also lifted. Look for updates on our medical program in the coming weeks.
We will continue to hold on transporting any new chimps to our sanctuary.
Guest Visitations
Following the newest guidelines for group gatherings, we have resumed outdoor activities but continue to postpone any indoor activities for guests. To make this successful, we have reduced the maximum size of our tour groups and increased sanitation procedures between groups. We also offered certificates for any ticket holders to events previously booked in 2020 to use them at anytime in 2021.
Our team has been hard at work developing new virtual events to offer over the winter months. Our rural location has made this challenging due to slow internet speeds; we will not be able to offer any live feeds from the sanctuary but have been developing videos that we can share on live feeds off-site with members of our team available for Q&A. These will become more wildly available in the near future so that we can bring the chimps to you virtually. (Sign up to be alerted when these events become available!)
Concerns or Questions?
If you have any concerns for the chimps during this outbreak, please feel free to write to us at any time.
As we all adjust to a new “normal,” our work to care for the chimps continues and the end goal of bringing all of them to sanctuary remains more important than ever. With your support, we can resume transports of the next group in early 2021!
Resources mentioned in this memo:
CDC Mass Gathering Statement
ZAHP Guidelines
OSHA Guidelines for COVID Preparations