How African Primate Sanctuaries Have Fared During the 2020 Global Pandemic - Tiffany James, PASA Volunteer Keeper I Zoo Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee
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CONSERVATION STATION
How African Primate Sanctuaries
Have Fared During the 2020 Global
Pandemic
Tiffany James, PASA Volunteer
Keeper I
Zoo Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
74 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc.
The Role of PASA contracting and possibly spreading protect their bonobo inhabitants. This
The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance the COVID-19 virus with both their significant drop in income paired with
(PASA) was founded in 2000 to human caretakers and other sanctuary the increased hours employees needed
help connect sanctuaries caring for residents. Though the risk of spreading to be paid has made for an incredibly
primates across Africa. A key role illness from international travelers tight budget (Tworoski, 2020). Limbe
that PASA plays is facilitating and has been a manageable concern in the Wildlife Center created promotional
enhancing communication between past (Muehlenbein et al., 2010), the videos thanking their donors and asking
primate sanctuaries, something that highly contagious novel coronavirus for more help (Kang, 2020). The Vervet
is extremely important during times has changed precautionary methods Monkey Foundation noted that the loss
of crisis. Communication has allowed required to reduce the outbreak of their international volunteers is one
for advancements in care, sharing of (Mohapatra et al., 2020). Sanctuaries of the things that has impacted them
resources, identification of trends, and have had to create strict quarantine the hardest. Volunteers help to monitor
professional networking for sanctuaries protocols for animal care staff and for food and water intake, behavior of
in 13 countries across Africa. Similar incoming primates (Colin, 2020). With their new and longer resident orphans,
to AZA Accreditation for zoos, PASA roughly 3,000 monkeys and apes being and even help bottle feed new infants
accreditation requires sanctuaries to cared for at PASA member sanctuaries, when they first come in. The loss of this
have a clearly organized and ethical the increased cost of personal protective volunteer lifeline has put extra strain on
management plan and a budget to be equipment required to keep everyone staff caretakers that are now covering
defined and documented to reduce safe has been extreme (Tully, 2020). All the work that once belonged to several
corruption and ensure that funds are PASA member sanctuary staff members different people (Du Toit, 2020). Kenya
being directed toward caring for their are required to wear protective gear went a step further and fully locked
primates. PASA has several different like masks and gloves, all food gets down borders and cancelled all travel
accreditations and acknowledgements disinfected, and many staff members visas to slow the spread of COVID-19.
earned by being a reputable and ethical have been rotating on and off in multi- This dramatically impacted Kenyan
non-profit organization (Guidestar week shifts where they stay 24 hours PASA member sanctuaries, Sweetwaters
by Candid, 2003; Great NonProfits, per day at their sanctuary (Colin, 2020). Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Colobus
2019) . PASA Director Gregg Tully is Conservation. Dr. Stephen Ngulu noted
a familiar figure within the zoological Hardships and Triumphs at PASA that the problem is threefold: revenue
community and has been a speaker Member Sanctuaries has decreased, food prices have
at many different primate and animal At Lola Ya Bonobo, doors were closed increased, and biosecurity measures
care conferences across the world. His to visitors at the same time that have increased in cost (Tworoski,
contributions to AAZK Conferences staff began living at the sanctuary to 2020). Lwiro Primate Sanctuary has
each year has inspired many keepers
and volunteers to get involved with
conservation initiatives impacting the
animals they know and love at zoos. For
the first time in PASA’s 20 year history, Chimpanzee rescue with increased PPE at Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage.
(PASA Primates, & Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage. 2020)
every single member sanctuary has
experienced a loss of profits and an
increased need for support all at the
same time (Tully, 2020). Sanctuaries
rely heavily on ecotourism to make
ends meet (Eshun and Tonto, 2014),
and like many other organizations
and businesses, they were forced to
close their doors to combat the global
COVID-19 pandemic for nearly an
entire year.
Increased Precautions at PASA
Member Sanctuaries
In addition to decreasing the human-
to-human spread of this deadly virus,
PASA member sanctuaries have had to
deal with another major concern for
their primates. Primates are susceptible
to the same illnesses as humans,
which means they are also at risk for
AAZK.ORG March 2021 │ Vol. 48 No.3 │ 75
stood out as a leader for positive and
effective social media communication
during these trying times. Their video
of chimpanzee keepers coming together
wearing their masks and dancing it out
in what they called “The Jerusalema
Challenge” received over 20,000
reactions on Facebook and put a smile
on everyone’s face (Lwiro Primate
Sanctuary, 2020). They branded one of
their orphan chimpanzees as “Grape
Girl” based on her love for grapes and
asked their social media followers
if they would be willing to purchase
a package of grapes for this sweet
young chimpanzee. The response was
outstanding and led to a Giving Day
for Grapes campaign on Giving Day
for Apes, during which they raised a
significant amount to help feed and care
for their troop of chimpanzees (Lwiro
Primates, 2020). They took it a step
further by sharing what they learned
with other sanctuaries and conservation
organizations- that sharing personal
stories and asking for smaller donations
to cover the cost of tangible items
is extremely effective. Though they
have suffered along with every other The author, training gorilla Bantu. Modified gorilla training at Zoo Knoxville complies with COVID-19
sanctuary, their positive outtake has precautions, allowing keepers to safely continue keeper chats to promote primate conservation
inspired many. during the pandemic.
The Zoo Community and PASA
As zoos were forced to close their Fundraisers that were already planned art auctions, sell different crafts, host
gates to reduce the spread of COVID-19 had to be cancelled due to the pandemic virtual game nights, and even virtual
and protect their staff and animals, a and with businesses everywhere 5K races. There are many Chapters out
major financial crisis arose. While most struggling to make ends meet, outside there that are in a sort of limbo, waiting
facilities were able to raise the funds donations dropped almost entirely. for their chance to host events and
needed to maintain their high quality raise money once again. It is critical to
of animal care, many staff positions This information is not meant to remember that AAZK is a family and
were furloughed, hours were reduced, be a grim reminder of the dangers was literally founded to help connect
and pay cuts were issued. Facilities sanctuaries have been struggling to face, keepers across the country (American
had to prioritize maintaining the care but as a call to action. As zookeepers Association of Zoo Keepers, n.d.). The
of the animals on their grounds over and zoo enthusiasts, everyone has a AAZK provides a solid support system
supporting their wild counterparts common goal of promoting conservation to help us reach new goals and achieve
which meant financial support for of the species that we care for. It is easy a higher level of professionalism,
conservation organizations like PASA to get stuck in the day-to-day routine animal care, and create a greater
drastically decreased (Pasic and of being a keeper, but thinking of the positive impact as keepers. Connecting
Jovanovich, 2020). In addition to facility bigger picture of conservation is an with other Chapters that have hosted
support, AAZK Chapters around the important and impactful part of the successful and quarantine-friendly
country have played a major role in job as well. 2020 brought upon an era fundraisers is as easy as reaching out
supporting PASA’s work. However, of digital events which helped us step on different social media platforms
to promote social distancing, most up and think of new creative ways to or through e-mail asking for advice or
Chapters hosted virtual meetings or come together without physically being ideas. By supporting one another we can
chose to postpone meetings all together. together. Organizing fundraisers like bring on a new wave of support for our
Fundraising efforts turned toward Bingo for Bonobos events that support struggling conservation organizations.
supporting their institution, which PASA and our member sanctuaries make
again meant supporting conservation a huge difference- even just a couple The PASA-bilities are Endless
organizations had to be put on hold. hundred dollars goes a long way. Some 2020 showed us now more than ever
Chapters have been able to host online that PASA is a family, and AAZK is part of
76 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc.
HOW AFRICAN PRIMATE SANCTUARIES HAVE FARED DURING THE 2020 GLOBAL PANDEMIC
that family. We have had some incredible References Lwiro Primates. 2020. Lwiro Primates on
donors that have pledged to match American Association of Zoo Keepers. n.d. Facebook Watch. Retrieved from https://
About Us. Retrieved from https://aazk. fb.watch/2IWC2Mddm9/
donations and have donated significant
org/about-us/ Mohapatra, R.K., Pintilie, L., Kandi, V., Sarangi,
funds to aid in the efforts of supporting Colin, C. 2020. Wildlife rescue centers A.K., Das, D., Sahu, R., and Perekhoda, L.
these sanctuaries (Tully, 2020). Our protect chimpanzees from coronavirus. 2020. The recent challenges of highly
sanctuaries have banded together Chimpanzee Conservation Center. contagious COVID-19, causing respiratory
and supported one another through Retrieved from https://www.youtube. infections: Symptoms, diagnosis,
com/watch?v=-jebofvUy60 transmission, possible vaccines, animal
joint fundraisers, sharing social media Du Toit, J. 2020. URGENT - Monkeys Need models, and immunotherapy. Chemical
techniques to raise awareness and Food During COVID-19. Vervet Monkey biology & drug design, 96(5):1187–1208.
connect with donors, and by offering Foundation. Retrieved from https://www. https://doi.org/10.1111/cbdd.13761
words of encouragement when times youtube.com/watch?v=VC8f5BV8lOM Muehlenbein, M.P., Martinez, L.A., Lemke,
Eshun, G., and Tonto, J.N.P. 2014. Community- A.A., Ambu, L., Nathan, S., Alsisto, S., and
are particularly grim. With the support
based ecotourism: Its socio-economic Sakong, R. 2010. Unhealthy travelers
of many volunteers, PASA has been able impacts at Boabeng-Fiema Monkey present challenges to sustainable primate
to increase our presence on social media Sanctuary, Ghana, Bulletin of Geography. ecotourism. Travel Medicine and Infectious
which has cultivated more connections Socio-economic Series, 26(26):67-81. doi: Disease, 8(3):169-175. doi:10.1016/j.
with potential supporters. Individual https://doi.org/10.2478/bog-2014-0045 tmaid.2010.03.004
Great NonProfits. 2020. PASA (Pan African Pasic, A., and Jovanovich, M. 2020. The Current
AAZK members have offered a helping Sanctuary Alliance) Reviews and Ratings: and Potential Impact of COVID-19 on
hand, and have started taking on bigger Portland, OR: Donate, Volunteer, Review. Nonprofits. Stanford SOCIAL INNOVATION
volunteer roles with PASA and our Retrieved from https://greatnonprofits. Review. [Audio blog interview by M. Voss].
member sanctuaries. One person can org/org/pasa-pan-african-sanctuary- Retrieved from https://ssir.org/podcasts/
alliance/?badge=1 entry/the_current_and_potential_impact_of_
make a difference, one Chapter can save
GuideStar by Candid. 2003. PAN AFRICAN covid_19_on_nonprofits
a sanctuary, and one organized group of SANCTUARY ALLIANCE. Retrieved Tully, G. 2020. COVID-19 threatens to shut-
dedicated and passionate animal lovers from https://www.guidestar.org/ down wildlife centers. The Pan African
like AAZK can make the world a safer profile/22-3878683 Sanctuary Alliance. Retrieved from https://
place for primates and all other species Kang, J. 2020. Wildlife Sanctuary Bracing www.youtube.com/watch?v=asfw64H5NlE
for COVID-19. Limbe Wildlife Center. Tworoski, N. 2020. 2020- A Year Like No
we share this planet with. Retrieved from https://www.youtube. Other [Web blog post]. The Pan African
com/watch?v=4TASVIkPN0A Sanctuary Alliance. Retrieved from
Lwiro Primate Sanctuary. 2020. Jerusalema https://pasa.org/awareness/2020-a-year-
challenge. Retrieved from https://www. like-no-other/
youtube.com/watch?v=nEOQja1aNlc
Thanks to the support of many dedicated volunteers, PASA has been able to
increase their presence across social media platforms to connect with more people during the current pandemic.
AAZK.ORG March 2021 │ Vol. 48 No.3 │ 77You can also read
