Please help Chimps of the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Options

[Game Warden]

Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust
Reg. Charity ZRA – TPIN 8000000592703
P.O Box 11190
Chingola
ZAMBIA

Tel/Fax: 0260-21-2-311293
Email: chimps@coppernet.zm

Tony Rauch, who together with his wife Charlotte, are trying desperately to keep the Orphanage going.

Unless funds - and donations in kind - are received soon it appears there is going to be a crisis at Chimfunshi.

APPEAL FOR FUNDING.

Chimfunshi is located on the banks of the Kafue and 30 km off the surfaced Chingola-Solwezi road. Four-wheeled drive is very necessary in the rainy season to negotiate the dirt road, particularly when the vehicles are loaded.

Chimfunshi – the chimpanzee orphanage and refuge – has been a feature of the Copper belt since 1983 when Sheila and (the late) David Siddle took in the first orphan chimp, PAL, near dead and badly injured. With time, news of the sanctuary provided by Chimfunshi spread and it is now home to over 110 Chimpanzees.

In 1995 the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust (CWOT) was established to ensure and protect the long term future of the sanctuary. This is now comprises the Orphanage, where individual care can be provided, and the large 200 and 500 acre enclosures, where “Family” groups enjoy relative freedom.

Because of their gregarious nature, strong group structure, and not least the dangers they would face from poachers and the illegal trade in live animals and game meat, it is not realistic to return them to the wild.

Like their human cousins, chimpanzees enjoy a long life span (45-60 years) so consequently those Chimfunshi will need care and protection for decades to come.

In 2002, an Education Centre was built to provide a facility to teach the youth of Zambia about ecology and wildlife conservation. It is also used by local and international students researching group behavior and ethnic studies. The Trust bears the cost of bringing groups of under privileged children to Chimfunshi, while those from affluent societies are charged a moderate fee to cover expenses.

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

The Trustees would kindly request a donation for the funding assistance of our daily operations at our Orphanage.

Monthly costs of caring for the chimpanzees amount to over 108,000,000 Kwacha (approximately US 30,000) a month and CWOT has been, and continues to be supported by visitors and well-wishers from home and abroad.

The Trustees now face a financial crisis that threatens the well being of the chimpanzees and survival of Chimfunshi.

The most pressing expenses are:

• Purchase of fruit and vegetables from neighbouring villagers. In this manner, the Trust inject K120,000,000 per annum (approximately USD33,000) into an economically depressed area of Zambia.
• Purchase of mealie-meal and other food supplements for the chimpanzees – including 100 litres per day of fresh milk as the protein substitute in the diet of these omnivores.
• Fuel and repairs for the Trust vehicles – 75kms from Chingola, the round trip of 150kms is undertaken twice weekly to collect fresh food for the chimps. The vehicles (a 4-tonne Cantor and a landcruiser) both require a major overhaul.
• Sponsorship to bring under-privileged school groups to the Education Centre.

This appeal for immediate help is being sent out while plans for the future development and longer term funding of CWOT are being formulated. Any assistance, however large or small in either Kwacha or US Dollars will be GRATEFULLY received. Donations should be sent to P.O Box 11190, Chingola. Cheques should be made out to CHIMFUNSHI WILDLIFE ORPHANAGE TRUST.

Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust is a registered charity and all donations are fully tax-deductible.

If you require additional information, please contact the Trust at the above address.

For and on behalf of the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust

Tony Rauch
(Project Manager)

Please help those who are just trying to help the chimpanzees!

(Thanks from the 120 Chimps.)

To visit the Chimfunshi website click here: www.chimfunshi.org.za

Rachel McRobb, in her interview here talks of Chimfunshi.

Who were your early role models?

I have always admired Sheila and Dave Siddle who have dedicated their lives to looking after orphaned and abused chimpanzees. They run the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia. Sadly Dave passed away this year but Sheila and her daughter Sylvia continue to give everything they have to look after these chimps. I was lucky enough to be able to do some volunteer work at the orphanage for a few months some years ago and the memories will stay with me forever.

[Game Warden]

Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust
Reg. Charity ZRA – TPIN 8000000592703
P.O Box 11190
Chingola
ZAMBIA

Tel/Fax: 0260-21-2-311293
Email: chimps@coppernet.zm

Tony Rauch, who together with his wife Charlotte, are trying desperately to keep the Orphanage going.

Unless funds - and donations in kind - are received soon it appears there is going to be a crisis at Chimfunshi.

APPEAL FOR FUNDING.

Chimfunshi is located on the banks of the Kafue and 30 km off the surfaced Chingola-Solwezi road. Four-wheeled drive is very necessary in the rainy season to negotiate the dirt road, particularly when the vehicles are loaded.

Chimfunshi – the chimpanzee orphanage and refuge – has been a feature of the Copper belt since 1983 when Sheila and (the late) David Siddle took in the first orphan chimp, PAL, near dead and badly injured. With time, news of the sanctuary provided by Chimfunshi spread and it is now home to over 110 Chimpanzees.

In 1995 the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust (CWOT) was established to ensure and protect the long term future of the sanctuary. This is now comprises the Orphanage, where individual care can be provided, and the large 200 and 500 acre enclosures, where “Family” groups enjoy relative freedom.

Because of their gregarious nature, strong group structure, and not least the dangers they would face from poachers and the illegal trade in live animals and game meat, it is not realistic to return them to the wild.

Like their human cousins, chimpanzees enjoy a long life span (45-60 years) so consequently those Chimfunshi will need care and protection for decades to come.

In 2002, an Education Centre was built to provide a facility to teach the youth of Zambia about ecology and wildlife conservation. It is also used by local and international students researching group behavior and ethnic studies. The Trust bears the cost of bringing groups of under privileged children to Chimfunshi, while those from affluent societies are charged a moderate fee to cover expenses.

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

The Trustees would kindly request a donation for the funding assistance of our daily operations at our Orphanage.

Monthly costs of caring for the chimpanzees amount to over 108,000,000 Kwacha (approximately US 30,000) a month and CWOT has been, and continues to be supported by visitors and well-wishers from home and abroad.

The Trustees now face a financial crisis that threatens the well being of the chimpanzees and survival of Chimfunshi.

The most pressing expenses are:

• Purchase of fruit and vegetables from neighbouring villagers. In this manner, the Trust inject K120,000,000 per annum (approximately USD33,000) into an economically depressed area of Zambia.
• Purchase of mealie-meal and other food supplements for the chimpanzees – including 100 litres per day of fresh milk as the protein substitute in the diet of these omnivores.
• Fuel and repairs for the Trust vehicles – 75kms from Chingola, the round trip of 150kms is undertaken twice weekly to collect fresh food for the chimps. The vehicles (a 4-tonne Cantor and a landcruiser) both require a major overhaul.
• Sponsorship to bring under-privileged school groups to the Education Centre.

This appeal for immediate help is being sent out while plans for the future development and longer term funding of CWOT are being formulated. Any assistance, however large or small in either Kwacha or US Dollars will be GRATEFULLY received. Donations should be sent to P.O Box 11190, Chingola. Cheques should be made out to CHIMFUNSHI WILDLIFE ORPHANAGE TRUST.

Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust is a registered charity and all donations are fully tax-deductible.

If you require additional information, please contact the Trust at the above address.

For and on behalf of the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust

Tony Rauch
(Project Manager)

Please help those who are just trying to help the chimpanzees!

(Thanks from the 120 Chimps.)

To visit the Chimfunshi website click here: www.chimfunshi.org.za

Rachel McRobb, in her interview here talks of Chimfunshi.

Who were your early role models?

I have always admired Sheila and Dave Siddle who have dedicated their lives to looking after orphaned and abused chimpanzees. They run the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia. Sadly Dave passed away this year but Sheila and her daughter Sylvia continue to give everything they have to look after these chimps. I was lucky enough to be able to do some volunteer work at the orphanage for a few months some years ago and the memories will stay with me forever.