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A Difficult Day

September 5, 2020 by J.B. -

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Tonight, Burrito is recovering from a rattlesnake bite.

We heard a commotion on Young’s Hill this morning and went out to find six of the chimps intensely alarm calling and screaming as they surrounded a large snake. Burrito unfortunately got too aggressive in pursuit of the snake and received a bite to the base of his thumb. Thankfully, we were able to get the chimps back inside relatively quickly. We then entered the enclosure, captured the snake, and confirmed that it was indeed a rattler.

Shortly thereafter, Burrito was anesthetized and given a course of antivenin while his symptoms were still relatively mild. At this point he is stable and resting but he is not out of the woods yet.

Diana and I are so grateful for the prompt response from the staff and veterinary team. Burrito will be monitored closely overnight and we promise to update you tomorrow as we know more. Please keep him in your thoughts.

56 Comments

  1. Avatar Katerina on September 5, 2020 at 8:18 pm

    Oh no, get better very soon Burrito ??????



  2. Avatar Maureen on September 5, 2020 at 8:23 pm

    Absolutely in my thoughts, my heart, my prayers. Burrito’s had a tough year. Thanks to the family’s alarm calls and screaming. (((HUGS))) to dear Burrito.



    • Avatar Heidi on September 6, 2020 at 11:36 am

      Feel better soon Burrito. We all love you!!!!



  3. Avatar John Joseph O'Brien on September 5, 2020 at 8:23 pm

    So sad. Hope my buddy Burrito recovers nicely. Sending thoughts and prayers.



  4. Avatar Lynn Gold on September 5, 2020 at 8:24 pm

    Oh no!PRAYING for him.so sorry to hear.rest well, Mr.B.?????



  5. Avatar Laura B on September 5, 2020 at 8:28 pm

    Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. I know our Bubba is in good hands and the anxious girls will be comforted. Take care of each other because we all value all of you and all you do.



  6. Avatar Martine Simmons on September 5, 2020 at 8:32 pm

    Dear Lord in heaven, please heal Burrito from his snake bite. In Jesus’s name, Amen



    • Avatar PatC on September 5, 2020 at 8:37 pm

      Amen.



    • Avatar Linda C on September 6, 2020 at 7:11 am

      amen



  7. Avatar Harley Robb on September 5, 2020 at 8:38 pm

    I hope he’ll be okay. Thank you all for taking care of him.



  8. Avatar Hope C on September 5, 2020 at 8:39 pm

    It’s time to get out the snow cone (shave ice) machine and give Burrito a special treat. Burrito has been through so much. Perhaps JB, Diane, all the staff and volunteers as well as the veterinarians deserve a snow cone (shave ice) treat, too.



    • Avatar Linda C on September 6, 2020 at 7:09 am

      agreed!
      (They have all of the makings!)



  9. Avatar Kathy Breipohl on September 5, 2020 at 8:42 pm

    Oh I am so saddened to hear this, Burrito I am sending you all my strength, you must pull through and continue to remain stable and get healthy, you have been though so much and you are strong.
    My thoughts are with you JB and Diana.
    Sending much love and prayers for Burrito



  10. Avatar Marcia on September 5, 2020 at 8:43 pm

    Oh for goodness sake, just when he was seemingly feeling fantastic! I know you are doing the very best for him and I am so glad everything went smoothly to get him isolated and treated in good time.
    I have faith that he’ll pull through with flying colours and be back up to his usual shenanigans in no time.
    Thank you for all you do for them and xxoo to Mr. Lovable B



  11. Avatar Teri on September 5, 2020 at 8:45 pm

    Burrito is in my prayers.



  12. Avatar Kay Roland on September 5, 2020 at 8:45 pm

    Poor Burrito, my heart goes out to him and prayers for his quick recovery.?



  13. Avatar Edie Bruce on September 5, 2020 at 8:46 pm

    Oh, no-Burrito!
    Poor guy, and so hard for everyone who loves him. Sending healing thoughts his way,
    and much love.



  14. Avatar Judy on September 5, 2020 at 8:49 pm

    Sending loads of healing and love to Burrito and to all of you. He is in the best hands possible. I will think of you constantly and watch for update. My heart is with you Mr B. Damn rattler.



  15. Avatar Lisa K on September 5, 2020 at 8:50 pm

    Prayers and wishes for a burrito and a full recovery. Work to your staff and vets ?



  16. Avatar Linda Gere on September 5, 2020 at 9:01 pm

    Poor Burrito wishing you a speedy recovery. Hugs your way ??



  17. Avatar Jo Arroyo on September 5, 2020 at 9:20 pm

    It’s not near his respiratory system, that’s good right?! Thinking about you and sending good thoughts Mr B. Brave Burrito, fell better – Jo & Dawn



  18. Avatar Jean Ragland on September 5, 2020 at 9:25 pm

    I will keep Burrito in my thoughts for a speedy recovery. It sounds like you got to him in time and the bite is in a location that is conducive to treatment and healing.



  19. Avatar Diane DePoe on September 5, 2020 at 9:45 pm

    I just read the blog and my heart is heavy. I will be praying for Burrito tonight! Please update us as soon as possible.



  20. Sherry on September 5, 2020 at 9:47 pm

    Oh, Burrito! Stay strong, buddy! You’ve got the best team by your side (but you know that already), and out here, you’ve got a world of humans whose hearts are boldly beside you as well, holding your living spirit with healing prayers.



  21. Avatar Jeani goodry on September 5, 2020 at 9:53 pm

    Burrito take care and have a peaceful night. I’m thinking of you and have you in my prayers. J. B. and Diana I’m so glad you were able to respond so quickly. You guys rock and so does everyone else who jumped in to help.



  22. Avatar Judith Friedman on September 5, 2020 at 9:53 pm

    My thoughts are with Burrito and a speedy recovery. ??



  23. Avatar CeeCee on September 5, 2020 at 9:57 pm

    Poor Burrito, and all of you will be in my prayers tonight.



  24. Carla René on September 5, 2020 at 10:48 pm

    Prayers won’t hurt anyone either.

    My poor boyfriend…. :'(



  25. Avatar Sandie Allaway on September 5, 2020 at 11:20 pm

    Prayers and love for our guy! So very scary for everyone so prayers and love for all of you also.



  26. Avatar Denise on September 5, 2020 at 11:36 pm

    Burrito yet again. Poor baby! Crossing fingers and saying prayees…



  27. Avatar Nancy on September 6, 2020 at 1:00 am

    Oh poor Burito. Trying to be protective. Sending healing strength ?



  28. Avatar Beth on September 6, 2020 at 1:59 am

    ?????????????????????? X 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 ??



  29. Avatar Beth on September 6, 2020 at 2:01 am

    Sending all my love and best wishes for recovery



  30. Avatar Jackie Downey on September 6, 2020 at 4:47 am

    Oh no!! Sending lots of hugs and prayers to Burrito! God speed!



  31. Avatar Nancy J on September 6, 2020 at 5:34 am

    Poor guy was just trying to protect the troop. He has had enough “bad” in his life already without this. Stay well Burrito and get back out there again. ?



  32. Avatar Elaine Reininger on September 6, 2020 at 6:03 am

    So sad to hear this news. Buritto was so active and nutty and rambunctious and full of energy these past few weeks and now to have still one more bad thing happen to him. How you found the location of the bite so quickly is nothing short of miraculous. We are all rooting for him to have a full recovery. Poor Baby



  33. Avatar Mary on September 6, 2020 at 6:46 am

    Sending love and hugs to all…



  34. Avatar Kathleen on September 6, 2020 at 6:51 am

    Like all of you, my heart is in my throat. Please Burrito, be well…..I echo the thoughts of Sherry, couldn’t say it any better.



  35. Avatar Thyra A Rutter on September 6, 2020 at 6:58 am

    We are holding space, light, love, healing and a quick recovery in our hearts for that Chimp of Chimps.. Mr. Burrito.. <3



  36. Avatar Gita Devi on September 6, 2020 at 7:07 am

    Hoping that the quick intervention results in a complete recovery.



  37. Avatar Arlene and Michael on September 6, 2020 at 7:16 am

    We are praying for dear Burrito to heal quickly. Poor guy. Hope he is feeling better and better each day. Thank you to all of you who are taking such good care of him.



  38. Avatar Mark Aquilino on September 6, 2020 at 7:21 am

    Burrito you and all the rest of the chimps are in my prayers all the time I will say a special prayer for you my little Hungry Hippo burrito you will be okay because you have great humans looking after you.



  39. Avatar Linda C on September 6, 2020 at 7:23 am

    oh what horrible news ro wake up to!
    Still hoping our boy is okay, that it didn’t get anywhere near his heart!
    I agree with someone whp said “sno cones all around!”
    How do you think it got past the rattlesnake-proof fencing, JB?



    • Avatar Tobin on September 6, 2020 at 9:51 am

      That is my question, too. Poor Burrito. I understand that vipers are part of Nature and that rattlers are indigenous to the eastern slope of the Cascade range. Still, I am disturbed that this had to happen to one of the Cle Elum chimpanzees.



  40. Avatar Barbara H. on September 6, 2020 at 8:04 am

    So sorry to hear about Burrito. I will pray he recovers quickly without any
    side affects. He is fortunate that there were humans there to run to his
    rescue and work quickly. Thank you for the blog.



  41. Avatar Lucinda on September 6, 2020 at 8:31 am

    Oh no!!! Hopefully caught in time with antivenin. Amazing and fast response from the team. You guys are awesome!



  42. Avatar Deanna on September 6, 2020 at 9:03 am

    I’ve been there… my heart goes out to Burrito and all of you. Wishing him a speedy recovery. Good job for such a quick response by all. Keep us posted on how the sweet boy is doing… xo



  43. Avatar Sherry on September 6, 2020 at 9:06 am

    Oh my goodness! We’re just seeing this and we’re heartbroken! Sending prayers for Burrito and all of you from St. Louis!



  44. Avatar Trotta Wanda on September 6, 2020 at 9:11 am

    Heal quickly little guy!



  45. Avatar Tobin on September 6, 2020 at 9:51 am

    That is my question, too. Poor Burrito. I understand that vipers are part of Nature and that rattlers are indigenous to the eastern slope of the Cascade range. Still, I am disturbed that this had to happen to one of the Cle Elum chimpanzees.



  46. Avatar Lois G. on September 6, 2020 at 10:14 am

    Burrito …my chimp pal – you have had a rough year but you are very resilient and I pray you will bounce back again. I know you were brave to protect the girls but got bit in the process. Wish there was a way to keep snakes ( esp rattlers) out of Youngs Hill. Feel better soon ??.
    Also kudos to quick thinking staff. You are all the best!



  47. Avatar Lois G. on September 6, 2020 at 10:21 am

    Burrito …my chimp pal – you have had a rough year but you are very resilient and I pray you will bounce back again. I know you were brave to protect the girls but got bit in the process. Wish there was a way to keep snakes ( esp rattlers) out of Youngs Hill. Feel better soon .
    Also kudos to quick thinking staff. You are all the best!



  48. Avatar Praying for Burrito ! on September 6, 2020 at 9:30 pm

    Please give Burrito a Safe Recovery !



  49. Avatar Peggy on September 7, 2020 at 9:56 am

    Poor Little Burrito. I hope he is getting lots of his favorite foods as allowed for the recovery process. Love & hugs to all.



  50. Avatar Peggy Smith on September 7, 2020 at 9:57 am

    Poor Little Burrito. I hope he is getting lots of his favorite foods as allowed for the recovery process. Love & hugs to all.



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