Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage

website: www.chimfunshi.org.za

primary species: Chimpanzees

volunteer program: Volunteers are accepted on a short-term basis. For more information, please contact 2sylvia@bushmail.net.

year founded: 1983

director: Sheila Siddle

primary supporters: Tusk Trust, IFAW, WSPA, Interair, Voyagers Rentals, Shop-Rite, Friends of Chimfunshi-Germany, Friends of Chimfunshi-South Africa, Chimfunshi-USA, Los Angeles Zoo, Tulsa Zoo, IPPL, public donations.

adoption progam: Chimpanzees may be adopted at a cost of USD $100 per year. For more information, please contact adoption@mweb.co.za.

sanctuary history: The Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage was founded in 1983, when a game ranger brought a dying chimpanzee to the cattle farm of David and Sheila Siddle in central Zambia. The Siddles saved the chimpanzee – named Pal – and have since become one of the largest chimpanzee sanctuaries in the world. The sanctuary pioneered the use of spacious, free-range enclosures, and has created almost 1,500 acres of wild space for its chimpanzees, and Chimfunshi literally accepted chimpanzees from around the world – including Chile, Cote d’Ivoire, Qatar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others – before adopting an “Africa-only” policy. The Siddles have been honored for their work, including receiving MBEs from Queen Elizabeth II in 2001 for their service to wildlife conservation.