I have been very neglectful when it comes to writing in my blog. Case in point – last week, one of the Barbary macaques, Teaspoon passed away last week.
Mom, dad, and baby (Cinnamon, Teaspoon, and Jethro) were temporarily housed in quarantine cages until their home was repaired. One of the new policies is to run tests on tranquilized animals (such in this case moving them from their home to quarantine cages), so as to get baseline medical information on the animals. When the vet examined the primates, it was discovered that Jethro and Teaspoon were intact males. Amazingly, Jethro’s parents did not produce any offspring since their time with the sanctuary. In any case, both surgeries to “fix” the males went well until the sedation reversal medication was administered. Teaspoon, sadly, stopped breathing and the vet was unable to resuscitate him. A necropsy was completed and it was determined Teaspoon aspirated during his revival. Apparently, someone fed the primates before their surgeries and small bits of food entered Teaspoon's lungs, causing him to stop breathing. I cannot understand why the workers fed him knowing that he was going to be sedated. This is absolutely horrible news.
On Saturday, it was really strange not seeing Teaspoon sitting on his perch, looking for marshmallow handouts (a favorite treat for Jethro). Both Cinnamon and Jethro seemed subdued in their enclosure—no doubt wondering what happened to the "daddy".
During the grieving process, the work continued. I've been working hard to update the sanctuary’s website. My goal is to see 500 people visiting the site per day. Right now we are about half way there with more than 300 clicks around the site each day. The website really needed an overall update, with new information added, and the old stuff taken out (like stories of animals no longer alive at the sanctuary). It’s been taking some time, but the work is getting done. So far, I've added a directions page, a volunteer page (with down loadable volunteer application), I've modified the tour information to include tour costs, and I've been keeping the home page fresh with new material.
The third newsletter installment went out earlier this month, and we got a good response from it. I just wish more donations were sent to the sanctuary from the newsletter. I received the bad news today that the sanctuary was unable to make payroll last week due to lack of funds—no one got paid, including the new director. Good news is the facility is expecting a large check from IFAW which should help tremendously. The new director was not concerned as the sanctuary, under former management, missed payroll on more than one occasion. The employees expressed their support of the sanctuary and agreed to receive their paycheck (this and last weeks) this upcoming Friday. Still, I wish the sanctuary was financially stable so payroll can be paid on time.
The juvenile work crews performed admirably once again. I cannot get over how much better the sanctuary looks today! The weeds and dead brush have been removed and the place looks less gloomy and dead. Less than 14 days away until the big open house and there is still so much work that needs to be done! But, we are getting there—baby steps.
Last week I spoke with the magazine writer and he wants to do a follow-up story on the animals. I provided him with a list of positive changes and I sent him additional information, which no doubt he will see as part of his OAG open records request. I want him to learn that despite all the interference from the former directors, the sanctuary is making progress.
So, as I end this posting, I'd like to ask God to Bless Teaspoon in Heaven. He will be missed as he was a loved animal. God Bless you, Teaspoon...
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