Brrrrrr!!!  Even though the rest of the nation is much colder this week than Wauchula, the cold weather is big news for us in Florida.  For the first time in decades, we’ve had over a week of freezing nights with temperatures as low as 26 to 27 degrees at the sanctuary.  Our homes and buildings in this part of Florida are just not built for that… with freezing air coming through windows and glass doors.  But extra precautions were taken with sealing up door vents and duct-taping around all the windows in the ape nighthouses.  Many of our tropical plants did not survive the freeze, even though volunteers covered hundreds of them with sheets (and we’re waiting to see if there’s damage to the Center’s surrounding orange groves). 

However, the apes stayed safe and warm with heaters running in their houses most of the week.  There were several days when it was just too cold from them to go outside, never getting above 40 degrees, so our caregiver staff spent the days providing indoor enrichment activities such as watching DVDs with popcorn parties… providing painting activities… and giving the apes manicures and pedicures through the caging mesh.  Our kitchen staff prepared hot oatmeal, hot grits, and baked apples for the apes’ breakfast. 

We are so grateful for all the blankets received this year from our supporters.  The apes used the blankets to mix with the hay for extra warm nests… and most wrapped themselves up in the blankets.  Thank you again for your help!