Emergency Response:
When Disaster Strikes, PASA is There
From floods to global pandemics, PASA supports our members through times of crisis, so that they can continue their life-saving work.
Fast Emergency Response
Wildlife centers in Africa operate in challenging conditions. Fires and floods may destroy facilities, disease outbreaks can endanger staff and animals, and larger disasters like military conflicts may require an immediate response.
Even a simple accident like an enclosure fence damaged by a falling tree may let dozens of animals escape, putting them into danger of capture by hunters and wildlife smugglers.
PASA maintains an emergency fund to cover unforeseen costs. Our global network of scientists, veterinarians, and volunteers can provide consultation to find the right solutions.
When Sweetaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary was flooded, PASA sent aid to rebuild their facilities. Read the full story here
Supporting Sanctuaries During a Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted every member of the Alliance. Quickly, two priorities emerged.
- First, we sought to ensure that the 23 member sanctuaries could continue to operate.
- Second, we needed to protect the more than 3000 primates from contracting the disease.
PASA members had survived disease outbreaks before, but no one knew much about the coronavirus. To address this gap, we partnered with the Univer-sity of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and the Arcus Foundation to develop the Non-Human Primate COVID-19 Information Hub. This online resource is regularly updated with research and best practices for all who work with primates.
The resiliency and heroic resolve of the sanctuaries served as an inspiration. Many caregivers and other staff sheltered on site for months rather than risk bringing the virus into the facilities and exposing primates to it. Donations poured in from compassionate people and organizations around the world – and it allowed us to provide US$330,000 in emergency funding to our members. In a typical year, that number would be closer to $20,000.
