Burrito_recover_rattlesnake_bite_FR1_jb_IMG_1388

Burrito Update

September 6, 2020 by J.B. -

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We just wanted let you know that Burrito remained stable overnight and he is resting comfortably this morning. We expect his recovery to be a slow, gradual process and there may be complications along the way, but for now we are cautiously optimistic.

68 Comments

  1. Avatar Sherry on September 6, 2020 at 10:06 am

    Oh so happy to hear this. We’ll still keep praying for all of you. Thank you for all you do!



  2. Avatar Lisa on September 6, 2020 at 10:07 am

    Sending you lots of love and prayers dear, sweet Burrito. Get well soon xxxx



  3. Avatar Jackie Ainey on September 6, 2020 at 10:08 am

    Thank you for the update! So glad to hear doing a little better. In my prayers. Love



  4. Avatar Maureen on September 6, 2020 at 10:08 am

    Oh, so glad to hear this! Thank you for the quick update, JB. I don’t know much about rattlesnake bites and I’m glad to hear you’re cautiously optimistic. So much loving energy going out to Burrito. I so hope he comes through this in complete good health. Wondering how the 6 females are- I suspect they’re worried. Virtual (((HUGS))) to all.



  5. Avatar Linda C on September 6, 2020 at 10:09 am

    thanks for the update, JB
    Does our guy need another Curious George? 🙂



  6. Avatar Kathy Breipohl on September 6, 2020 at 10:09 am

    Thank you JP for the update I am so thankful he remain stable throughout the night and I will continue to pray and be extremely helpful for his on his ongoing recovery
    Love you Burrito sending all my strength??



  7. Avatar Laura B on September 6, 2020 at 10:14 am

    JB, you are so kind to keep us up to date with all that is on your plate now. We would totally understand if you didn’t, but it’s a great relief to hear our guy is holding his own. Thoughts, prayers, hugs, kisses, grooming, reassurances, love etc. to everyone.



  8. Avatar Diane DePoe on September 6, 2020 at 10:15 am

    Thank you for the update! Sending love and prayers to all but especially Burrito!



  9. Avatar Linda Gere on September 6, 2020 at 10:17 am

    Such good news to hear.? thanks for the update. My heatr breaks thinking of what the chimps and staff had to go thru. Well wishes to everyone.



  10. Chris on September 6, 2020 at 10:20 am

    Oh, I am so glad to hear that..Poor Burrito has been through so much this year but thank-goodness he has the best people ever to take great care of him. You will all be in my thoughts as you watch over dear Burrito as he slowly recovers and I have no doubt that he will. Thank-you for taking the time to give us an update…he has many, many fans worried and pulling for him.
    Love to Mr. B. and to all of you!



  11. Avatar JoanDouglas on September 6, 2020 at 10:25 am

    Bless you all for your care, love you mr. burrito.



  12. Avatar Jenny Wilson on September 6, 2020 at 10:25 am

    My thoughts and love are with you all.



  13. Avatar Lynda on September 6, 2020 at 10:29 am

    Glad to hear Burrito is on the road to recovery. He gave us quite the scare considering he had a bad experience when he was hurt when you guys were trying to introduce the three eew chimps with the seven chimps.



  14. Avatar Tina Shaw on September 6, 2020 at 10:36 am

    Thank you for the update. He is in my thoughts and I hope for a full recovery. He is so very special



  15. Avatar Mary on September 6, 2020 at 10:38 am

    So good to hear. You’re all in my thoughts.



  16. Avatar Caroline Hero on September 6, 2020 at 10:41 am

    thank goodness, and thank you all for reacting so quickly; our thoughts, love and prayers are with Burrito and all of you at this time. I hope he makes a full recovery.
    How are the other chimps doing?



  17. Avatar Jeani Goodrich on September 6, 2020 at 10:42 am

    It appears me that Burrito was trying to be the male protector of the girls. Could that be the case? Is he growing up?



    • Avatar Linda C on September 6, 2020 at 7:44 pm

      it almost seems so…I think this is the second time he’s stepped up….Sadly, he’s not too experienced ?



  18. Avatar Arlene and Michael on September 6, 2020 at 10:50 am

    Hi JB thank you for the update. We’ve been so worried since we read the post from last night. It’s scary to have you say there may be complications along the way but we appreciate your being honest. We are sending prayers that Burrito heals quickly. He looks so peaceful in the picture. Thank you for taking such good care of him. Hugs to all.



  19. Avatar Jeani Goodrich on September 6, 2020 at 10:50 am

    I’m so glad to hear Mr. B had a good night. We’ll keep counting these good days and praying for more. Keep it up B. We all love you!!



  20. Avatar Beth on September 6, 2020 at 10:51 am

    Continuing my best wishes and prayers for this lovely being



  21. Avatar Bonnie on September 6, 2020 at 10:57 am

    I hope Burrito will be ok. My thoughts and prayers are with him.



  22. Avatar Cara on September 6, 2020 at 10:57 am

    Sending healing thoughts to Burrito, the brave.



  23. Avatar Nancy on September 6, 2020 at 11:07 am

    Thanks so much for the update, J.B.! Relieved the little guy is comfortable.



  24. Avatar Edie Bruce on September 6, 2020 at 11:21 am

    Hang in there,Big guy! Many people love you and are pulling for you! You are in
    my thoughts. Sending lots of healing love.



  25. Avatar Bill on September 6, 2020 at 11:23 am

    Can you explain why his hand is discolored?



    • J.B. on September 6, 2020 at 12:21 pm

      Hi Bill – It’s not actually discolored; that part of his hand just has no hair.



  26. Avatar Marya on September 6, 2020 at 11:23 am

    Thank you so much for this update, JB! And for including a photo. I saw the post last night telling us of his “more-than-he-bargained-for adventure” yesterday and have been thinking of him ever since. Did he think he was protecting the women, that brave guy? Thank goodness all the drama got noticed quickly and he’s in very good hands with all of you for his recovery. Blessings to wonderful Burrito and ALL the primates at the sanctuary.



  27. Avatar Virginia Keulen on September 6, 2020 at 11:38 am

    I’m so sorry to hear Burrito was bitten by a rattlesnake. Glad to hear he was stable overnight. Praying for a speedy recovery. Keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that he comes through this okay. My heart goes out to all the staff also. ??



    • Avatar Virginia Keulen on September 6, 2020 at 11:41 am

      Those ? question marks after my last post are there by accident. I’m not questioning anything.



      • Carla René on September 6, 2020 at 3:43 pm

        They seem to happen when using emojis on a mobile phone or tablet. I think this WordPress template they’re using doesn’t like .html code so it interprets them as the question marks.

        Next time try entering your emoji in ASCII, like this (enter what is between the quotes with no space): ” : ” ” ) ” for the smiley. :), or colon followed by the closed parenthesis.

        HTH.

        Cheers.



  28. Avatar Anamaria on September 6, 2020 at 11:41 am

    Thanks for the update….will keep sending healing light to Burrito.



  29. Avatar Judy on September 6, 2020 at 11:43 am

    Thank you for the update… he has been in my mind constantly, waking and sleeping. If trouble is to be gotten into it seems Dear Burrito will put himself in it. Love and hugs to staff and Chimpanzee Family… my heart is on vigil with you all.. I suspect the girls are very stressed over this as well.



  30. Avatar Virginia Keulen on September 6, 2020 at 11:45 am

    Those 2 ?question marks at the end of my first post were accidentally added. I’m not questioning anything.



  31. Avatar Judy Whelan on September 6, 2020 at 11:48 am

    Thank you for the update. Prayers & much love to Burrito. Thank you all for taking such great care of Burrito and his friends!!



  32. Avatar Tobin on September 6, 2020 at 12:10 pm

    Thank you for the prompt update. I trust that Dr. Erin and her staff are capable of restoring Burrito to health, however long it might take. When time allows, I hope that the other six in his troop will be able to visit him. I love him dearly, and I will pray for his recovery.

    Do you have any idea how the assailant was able to slither onto Young’s Hill? It is/was my understanding that there was a certain way to repel rattlesnakes from the the hill.



    • J.B. on September 6, 2020 at 12:31 pm

      Hi Tobin – We do have a rattlesnake fence around Young’s Hill but it’s not foolproof as it is nearly impossible to seal the area completely and still allow for gates, doors, and other access ways. Plus, there is currently a small section down to accommodate the construction. We’re not sure which way the snake got in but as far as we know it is the only one in the nearly ten years since we put up the fence.



  33. Avatar Karen and Don on September 6, 2020 at 12:10 pm

    Hi JB- How deep was the bite and how much venom do you think went into his body? What are the possible complications? Poor Burrito has had so many health challenges this year. I remember that you had a system in place to catch poisonous snakes before they could get on the hill. How could this snake breech your system? This is a first in 10 years, right? We’ll pray for the recovery of Burrito. Thanks for the updates. We know how worried you all must be. After all, he is like a son to you and irreplaceable. He is strong and loves his life so he’ll fight really hard to recover. Keep us informed minute by minute if necessary! Have you ever treated a chimp for a bite from a poisonous snake?



    • J.B. on September 6, 2020 at 12:43 pm

      Hi Karen – Based on his symptoms we think he experienced moderate envenomation. The potential complications can be localized to the wound (necrosis) or systemic (e.g., kidney problems, bleeding disorder). We have four additional vials of antivenin on hand and we will be monitoring him closely.

      We have never had to treat a chimpanzee for a venomous snake bite but many other sanctuaries and zoos have so Dr. Erin has been consulting with many of her colleagues.

      Please see a response I just wrote to another comment regarding the snake fence.

      You are right – he is a tough guy and I think he will be playing chase again in no time.



  34. Avatar Teri Bridge on September 6, 2020 at 12:29 pm

    Oh, poor boy. So sorry he is experiencing this. May healing energy be his blanket until his full recovery.



  35. Avatar Bill on September 6, 2020 at 12:37 pm

    oh ok re hand color. i was looking at the white object thinking that was his hand but it’s a stuffed animal. Whew! I thought snake venom discolored the flesh.



    • Avatar Sherry on September 6, 2020 at 2:17 pm

      Bill, I thought the same thing and had to go back and look at it several times! LOL.



  36. Avatar Marcia on September 6, 2020 at 12:59 pm

    That picture!! I’m sending all my best vibes from Toronto to that lovable guy and to all of you. He’s shown us before that he can do it, he’ll show us again. He’s got way too much delicious food and play time on his agenda to let a puny little rattlesnake ruin it



  37. Avatar Sandie Allaway on September 6, 2020 at 1:08 pm

    Really glad to hear this. This poor guy has had more than his share of challenges this year. Sending healing love to him. xoxoxoxo



  38. Avatar Kathleen on September 6, 2020 at 1:36 pm

    Just checked my email in the hopes you might send us an update. Oh dear. I feel a slight release of tension but concerned still after reading this and your comments to questions asked by Burrito’s admirers. He is deservingly well loved by so many people from all over the globe. That’s a lot positive healing energy coming his way.

    I am grateful you took precious time out your hectic day to keep us informed. Thank you for that. My heart will remain lodged in my throat until you give us the full AOK that Burrito is out of the woods.

    Precious dear sweet boy, please recover to your silly energetic self. I love you.



  39. Avatar Jojo on September 6, 2020 at 2:05 pm

    Thank you for the update. I’m relieved he made it through the first night and am choosing to see that as a good sign. Thank God the staff on duty sprung into action and got control of the situation. You all are top notch and don’t you forget it! Prayers and healing energy to Mr.B



  40. Avatar Elaine Reininger on September 6, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    Thanks for the update. I’ve been thinking about him all day.



  41. Avatar Jo Arroyo on September 6, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    You’re in or thoughts Burrito, sending hugs and healing energy. Staff, stay strong and keep positive thoughts!

    Jo & Dawn



  42. Avatar Barbara H. on September 6, 2020 at 2:14 pm

    The picture was so adorable. I will pray for a quick recovery and no more snakes. That must be
    scary for the chimps and staff. Good luck Burrito.



  43. Avatar Sue Love on September 6, 2020 at 2:34 pm

    Thank you so much for getting back to us so quickly with an update. It was so shocking to read last nights post. I can only imagine your frantic rush to the “hill” at hearing the screaming and fear. My prayers for healing and comfort continue with all the others…and also prayers of thanksgiving that you all are so loving and prepared and the immediate care he was able to receive.
    My heart trembles. It makes it hard to concentrate on the “Hoot” but also gives us all an opportunity to donate to cover this emergency care.



  44. Avatar CeeCee on September 6, 2020 at 2:37 pm

    Poor little Burrito, he looks so angelic in that picture, sweet boy. I just know he will be feeling better soon.
    Thank you for taking such great care of him.
    I’ll bet you and Diana probably took turns sleeping right outside of his caging all night again, watching over him. Its really you that are his guardian angels 🙂



  45. Avatar Pat Froelich on September 6, 2020 at 3:16 pm

    Burrito, we know you are a fighter and all your friends are praying for you. Get well!!!????



  46. Carla René on September 6, 2020 at 3:53 pm

    Am I the only one here that can clearly see he’s faking? Methinks now that the drama’s over, he’s going to milk it for all it’s worth. Yup…our big goofball-of-a-Z-man is a hypochondriac. 😀 😉

    Lubs to mah boyfran. <3

    Thanks for the update, Jeeb. Big love to all.

    Cheers.



  47. Avatar Tami Roy on September 6, 2020 at 3:54 pm

    Sending prayers for Burrito and the staff. I’m so happy to hear he is stabilized. Burrito is a very special guy!



  48. Avatar Shelley Winfrey on September 6, 2020 at 4:08 pm

    Hi J.B. and Diana! So sorry to hear of Burrito’s rattlesnake encounter:(! Mom and I are praying for a quick recovery and sending our love to you and your family. Of course that includes your amazing caregivers too ??



  49. Avatar PatC on September 6, 2020 at 4:09 pm

    Thank you for the updates and also to J.B. for answering questions asked here – some of which I was also wondering. Mr B is constantly in my thoughts and I pray “our” boy is soon back to his playful self. Amazing the powerful love we can have for people who have no idea we exist. If only Burrito could know how much love and concern is being sent his way. xo



  50. Avatar Jackie on September 6, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    Sending prayers, love and hugs to Mr. B. Thank you to everyone that is taking care of him.



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