Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage
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Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust (CWOT) is one of the oldest and biggest
sanctuaries A sanctuary, in its original meaning, is a sacred place, such as a shrine, protected by ecclesiastical immunity. By the use of such places as a haven, by extension the term has come to be used for any place of safety. This secondary use can be ...
for orphaned and rescued
chimpanzee The chimpanzee (; ''Pan troglodytes''), also simply known as the chimp, is a species of Hominidae, great ape native to the forests and savannahs of tropical Africa. It has four confirmed subspecies and a fifth proposed one. When its close rel ...
s, located in
Zambia Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern and East Africa. It is typically referred to being in South-Central Africa or Southern Africa. It is bor ...
's
Copperbelt Province Copperbelt Province is a province in Zambia which covers the mineral-rich Copperbelt, and farming and bush areas to the south. It was the backbone of the Northern Rhodesian economy during British colonial rule and fuelled the hopes of the imme ...
. Established in 1983, the sanctuary began as a family-run operation when David and Sheila Siddle took in a severely injured infant chimpanzee named "Pal" after it was brought to their cattle ranch by a game ranger. The Siddle’s nursed Pal back to health, marking the beginning of CWOT’s mission to provide care and rehabilitation for chimpanzees in need. As news of Pal’s recovery spread, the Siddles were soon overwhelmed with requests to take in other orphaned chimpanzees. Many chimpanzees at CWOT were rescued from poachers who sought to smuggle them into Zambia for the illegal pet trade, while others came from zoos and circuses around the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. In 1989, Stephan Louis, a German entrepreneur, got to know the couple and their work, founded the non-profit Chimfunshi Verein zum Schutz bedrohter Umwelt e.V. in Hamburg/Germany to support the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage and ensure its continued operation. In 1995, under Stephan’s and David's initiative, the non-profit Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust (CWOT) was established in Zambia to give the sanctuary a solid, sustainable long-term foundation. The sanctuary is one of the founders and a member of the
Pan African Sanctuary Alliance The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) is the largest association of wildlife centers and sanctuaries in Africa, consisting of 23 organizations in 13 countries. As an alliance, PASA works to secure a future for Africa’s primates by rescuing a ...
(PASA) and has received widespread recognition for its efforts in chimpanzee conservation. In 2002, Sheila Siddle published her autobiography, ''In My Family Tree: A Life With Chimpanzees'', which garnered significant praise. The Siddles were also honoured with the Jane Goodall Award in recognition of their pioneering work in establishing CWOT. Since the death of Stephan Louis in 2011, his brother Sebastian Louis has continued his work as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Board of Chimfunshi Germany. After Sheila and David Siddle died, their daughter took over to keep their legacy going. In 2022, the Board appointed an Executive Director to develop the project. Thus, since 2023, CWOT has been developing a new strategy with a holistic approach that integrates the Chimfunshi Sanctuary, the local Community and the Conservation in a unified framework called the 3Cs, with the aim of creating a model where the community lives in harmony with nature. The core missions are as follows: 1) To support wildlife law enforcement and to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned chimpanzees and other wildlife by providing long-life care 2) to engage children and the community to protect chimpanzees, local wildlife, and the Miombo forest through education and 3) to reduce poverty and improve local community well-being through medical care, gender equality, alternative income community-based projects (e.g. sustainable farming) and capacity building.


Chimfunshi Sanctuary

Covering 10,000 hectares of land, CWOT currently provides 8 semi-free ranging enclosures for 154 chimpanzees. The total area of these enclosures (including the larger ones of 80 hectares) ensures that the chimpanzees with ample space to express natural behaviours. CWOT is staffed by a dedicated and professional team of keepers who are committed to providing the best possible care for the animals. In addition to the chimpanzees, the orphanage is home to a variety of other rescued animals, including African grey parrots, bush babies,
vervet monkeys The vervet monkey (''Chlorocebus pygerythrus''), or simply vervet, is an Old World monkey of the family Cercopithecidae native to Africa. The term "vervet" is also used to refer to all the members of the genus ''Chlorocebus''. The five distinct ...
, various antelopes, birds of prey, and many other animals in need of rescue. With the exception of the chimpanzees and African grey parrots, which are not indigenous to Zambia, all the other animals will be released back into the wild in a secure location. In the case of the vervet monkey, CWOT is working closely with the Zambia Primate Project, which will oversee the rehabilitation and release process in
Kafue National Park Kafue National Park is the largest national park in Zambia, covering an area of about 22,400 km2 (similar in size to Wales or Massachusetts). It is the second largest national park in Africa and is home to 152 different species of mammals. ...
.


Community

CWOT is dedicated to supporting sustainable development in local communities. The orphanage fosters partnerships that promote both livelihoods and conservation, focusing on education, sustainable agriculture, and eco-tourism. These initiatives empower communities to protect their natural resources and live in harmony with wildlife, ensuring long-term benefits for both people and the environment. Over 70 employees live with their families (around 400 people in total) on site. CWOT offers employment, education and training, housing with access to water and electricity as well as basic medical care. In addition, a primary and junior secondary school with an attached pre-school is run, which is attended by more than 240 children from the region.


Conservation

CWOT plays a key role in the conservation of diverse natural ecosystems and species. The sanctuary is located within the Miombo-Kafue river complex, which encompasses a variety of habitats, including Wet Miombo woodland, mushitu (riverine) forest, riparian forest, grasslands, and wetlands. The Kafue River, which forms part of CWOT's border, transforms into a vast flooded plain during the rainy season (October to May), creating dynamic ecosystems. The Miombo-Kafue complex also includes floodplains, dry plains, and grassy wet dambos, along with the critical Mushitu forest strips. Mushitu forest, characterized by its taller trees and higher biodiversity compared to the more widespread Brachystegia/Julbernardia Miombo woodlands, plays an important role in protecting watercourses and maintaining perennial streams. Vulnerable to fire, it is essential for conserving both water resources and the surrounding ecosystem. Overall, the Miombo woodlands form a rich mosaic of habitats that are vital for carbon sequestration, biodiversity reservation - particularly birdlife - and supporting the livelihoods of local communities. CWOT was designated as an “
Important Bird Area An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) is an area identified using an internationally agreed set of criteria as being globally important for the conservation of bird populations. IBA was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife Int ...
” (IBA #22) in 2010, a global recognition given to areas that are crucial for the conservation of bird populations. CWOT is one of about 10,000 IBAs worldwide. Endangered bird species found at CWOT include the
Wattled Crane The wattled crane (''Grus carunculata'') is a large, threatened species of crane found in wetlands and grasslands of eastern and southern Africa, ranging from Ethiopia to South Africa. Some authorities consider it the sole member of the genus ...
, the
Hooded Vulture The hooded vulture (''Necrosyrtes monachus'') is an Old World vulture in the order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the only member of the genus ''Necrosyrtes,'' which is sister to the larger '' Gyps ...
, the
Ground Hornbill The ground hornbills (Bucorvidae) are a family of the order Bucerotiformes, with a single genus ''Bucorvus'' and two extant species. The family is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa: the Abyssinian ground hornbill occurs in a belt from Senegal east ...
, the Bateleur Eagle, … In addition to its birdlife, CWOT is home to a wide variety of mammals, reptiles, insects, and, seasonally, mushrooms, further contributing to its ecological significance.


Research

CWOT has developed into a prominent center for education and research, offering a unique opportunity to study chimpanzees in a near-natural environment and within large social groups. The sanctuary serves as an ideal setting for observing the complex social behaviours, communication, and cognitive abilities of chimpanzees. At the intersection of animal welfare and scientific inquiry, CWOT attracts primate researchers and scientists from around the world. The Education Centre at CWOT also draws students from the U.S. and Europe, as well as Zambian schoolchildren and their teachers. The sanctuary regularly collaborates with leading scientific institutions, including the Max Planck Institutes for Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig, Germany) and Psycholinguistics (Nijmegen, Netherlands) and
Gonzaga University Gonzaga University (GU) ( ) is a Private university, private Society of Jesus, Jesuit university in Spokane, Washington, United States. It is Higher education accreditation in the United States, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges ...
(USA), further strengthening its role as a hub for primate research and conservation education.


Tourism

Source: CWOT is located 65 km west of
Chingola Chingola is a town in Zambia's Copperbelt Province, the country's copper-mining region, with a population of 256,560 (2022 census). It is the home of Nchanga Copper Mine, a deep-shaft high-grade content copper mining operation, which subsequen ...
, along the banks of the
Kafue River The long Kafue River is the longest river lying wholly within Zambia. Its water is used for irrigation and for generating Hydroelectricity, hydroelectric power. It is the largest tributary of the Zambezi, and of Zambia's principal rivers, it ...
, making it a popular tourist destination for both local residents of Zambia's Copperbelt region and international visitors. While chimpanzees are not native to Zambia - with the nearest wild populations located about 500 km to the north - CWOT plays a critical role in the conservation of the species, especially given that some wildlife smuggling routes from the Congo pass through Zambia. CWOT welcomes visitors year-round, offering the opportunity to learn about chimpanzee conservation, the local wildlife, and the Miombo landscape. CWOT provides a range of accommodation options for guests, including basic rooms (private or shared) and camping on the floodplain. Visitors are encouraged to book in advance for both accommodation and meals.


Volunteering

CWOT offers
volunteer Volunteering is an elective and freely chosen act of an individual or group giving their time and labor, often for community service. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency ...
programs for individuals looking to support the sanctuary's work. Volunteers have the opportunity to assist with the daily care of chimpanzees, including
behavioural enrichment Behavioral enrichment is an animal husbandry principle that seeks to enhance the quality of captive animal care by identifying and providing the environmental stimuli necessary for optimal psychological and physiological Quality of life, well-bei ...
activities and enrichment exercises. They can also contribute to infrastructure development projects in the local community, help at the organic farm, or support the health post. Volunteers with veterinary expertise may also assist with the care of the animals under the supervision of the resident vet. CWOT welcomes all those willing to lend a hand and make a positive impact on the CWOT’s mission.https://www.chimfunshiwildlife.org/how-you-can-help/


References


External links


Chimfunshi's Germany homepageChimfunshi's Zambia homepage
{{Coord missing, Zambia Organizations established in 1983 Primate sanctuaries Tourist attractions in Zambia Buildings and structures in Copperbelt Province Tourist attractions in Copperbelt Province Animal welfare organisations based in Zambia Important Bird Areas of Zambia