FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — Five days after heavy rain flooded parts of the region, water still covers much of the Save the Chimps sanctuary in St. Lucie County, limiting how staff can reach the property and care for more than 200 rescued chimpanzees.
The 150-acre sanctuary is accessible to employees only by tractor, trailer or large off-road vehicle, according to the organization. Save the Chimps said an overflowing local canal, Header Canal, has kept floodwaters from receding. The South Florida Water Management District issued an emergency order this week in response to flooding caused by heavy rain across several South Florida counties, including St. Lucie.
The chimpanzees live on islands with care houses at higher elevations and are safe, sanctuary CEO Ana Paula Tavares said. But standing water across the property and surrounding area has made it difficult for staff to get to work and carry out their responsibilities…