About Us

Who We Are

Chimfunshi has been rescuing chimpanzees from the bushmeat and pet trade since 1983

Chimfunshi was founded in 1983 by David and Sheila Siddle, in the North of Zambia, when a game ranger brought a badly wounded infant chimpanzee to their cattle ranch.

After bringing that chimp - named Pal - back to health, the word of his recovery spread and soon the couple were inundated with orphan chimpanzees.

Actually, with over 145 chimpanzees, Chimfunshi is now one of the largest (9,300 Ha) and oldest chimpanzee sanctuaries of the world.

Today Chimfunshi is managed by a Board of Trustees to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Sanctuary.

Although many of the chimpanzees were confiscated from poachers who attempted to smuggle the infants into Zambia for sale as pets, an equally large number were rescued from dilapidated zoos and circuses from all over Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.

Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage operates entirely on donations and sponsorship

Support the Chimfunshi today!

Without the financial support provided by our valued Donors, volunteers and visitors, the sanctuary and its inhabitants could not survive. To those who wish to begin supporting our programs we offer various ways for you to do so. Chimfunshi offers a variety of sponsorship programs to suit your interests, all of which will bring great benefits to the environments, wildlife and the communities within which we work.