Topline
Twelve animals at a Texas animal sanctuary died this week from freezing temperatures as winter storms and power outages continue to wreak chaos and tragedy through the state.
A capuchin monkey named Joey, an ex-pet, is seen at Primarily Primates, Inc., Monday, April 26, ... [+]
Key Facts
Primarily Primates, a non-profit in Bexar County, Texas, that houses animals that have been abused in the entertainment and research industries, lost power this week due to rolling blackouts in the state.
When the power first shut off Monday morning, staff at Primarily Primates sprung into action to keep the animals warm by using blankets, generators and space heaters—but by that night, it was already too late for 12 animals, including monkeys, lemurs and one chimpanzee, according to the San Antonio Express-News, who died in the cold.
Several of the group’s remaining animals have been evacuated to the San Antonio Zoo, while others still at the sanctuary are being kept warm with generators and heaters donated by the public, Executive Director Brooke Chavez wrote in an update Wednesday.
One of the casualties was Violet, the sanctuary’s oldest chimpanzee at 58, who likely died from a stroke during the night, not hypothermia, the sanctuary said in a statement.
Crucial Quote
“She loved to explore her habitat, which sits up on a hill overlooking the pond at Primarily Primates, where she had a great view of waterfowl and other wildlife. Violet, who was used in biomedical research, also liked watching movies and looking at her reflection in her care staff member’s iPhone selfie mode,” the sanctuary said of the chimpanzee who died.
Key Background
Record cold temperatures in Texas have crippled the state’s energy system, leaving millions without power and heat as the power grid operator, ERCOT, imposes rolling blackouts. The disaster is believed to have already led to the deaths of 20 people and in one county, more than 300 carbon monoxide poisonings. In one case, a woman and an 8-year-old child were found dead after attempting to keep warm in their car.
Tangent
Texas zoos are scrambling to keep animals warm amid the power outages. In Dallas and San Antonio, zoo staff are winter-proofing habitats and relocating animals. Winter-proofing involves stuffing towels and hay into any cracks or hanging plastic sheets over barn doors, the Dallas Zoo wrote in a Facebook post. The San Antonio Zoo has even resorted to using restaurants on site to house flamingos and other species who need to be inside.
