Hello, I'm Pal – Chimfunshi's first chimpanzee, and you may have heard of me.
Back then, over 40 years ago, I was an injured baby chimpanzee. A gamekeeper brought me to Sheila and David Siddle, a farming couple with big hearts. They nursed me back to health, and if it weren't for them, Chimfunshi would not exist today.
Since then, I have seen everything that has made Chimfunshi the great place it is today. And believe me, a lot has happened!
First, here is a compact overview of the most important facts.
- Chimpanzees: There are more than 150 of us living here today, spread across eight large forest enclosures covering over 200 hectares of woodland.
- Other wildlife: Injured or orphaned animals, such as parrots, antelopes and bush babies, also find a home here.
- Education: Over 240 children attend our Twampane School, from kindergarten to Year 10. Additionally, over 4,000 people from across Zambia participate in our environmental education programmes each year.
- Community: Around 70 employees and their families – totalling approximately 400 people – live and work here, enjoying access to housing, water, electricity, education and medical care.
- Sustainability: We practise subsistence farming, secure our water supply through wells and protect the valuable miombo forests and Kafue River basin.
- Research: Over the past 20 years, Chimfunshi has developed into a globally renowned research location. Researchers from universities and institutes all over the world conduct studies here into our behaviour, communication and social structures.
...that is the microcosm of Chimfunshi in numbers. And it is also my home.
How it all started
I was the first. Today, aged over 40, I still live at Chimfunshi. The experiences I have had here are unique.
- Stephan Louis came to Chimfunshi from Hamburg in the 1980s. He established the Chimfunshi e.V. association in Germany to provide additional support for the chimpanzees.
- Shortly afterwards, Jane Goodall herself brought the severely traumatised chimpanzee Milla to us, where she was finally able to heal. She still lives at Chimfunshi today, and at over 50 years old, she is the grand dame of the station.
- An increasing number of chimpanzees found their way here, whether from private owners, zoos, laboratories or the black market. Many were sick or had been abused. But here, they were given a second chance.
- Thanks to the efforts of veterinarians, carers and researchers, we are able to live in groups, build nests and search for fruit, allowing us to live as closely as possible to the way real chimpanzees do.
Chimfunshi today
The rescue of a single chimpanzee has evolved into a comprehensive project encompassing species conservation, nature conservation, education, and community initiatives.
The founding couple, Sheila and David Siddle, have since passed away. However, their spirit and vision live on through the team on site, the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust and Chimfunshi e.V., who continue their mission of taking in endangered chimpanzees from all over the world and providing for them for the rest of their lives.
Together, we ensure that Chimfunshi remains a beacon of humanity and a shining example of nature and animal conservation, not just in Zambia, but far beyond its borders.
And it's not just us who are benefiting. Over 240 children are currently enrolled at Chimfunshi School. I see them every day, laughing, learning and building their futures. For them, Chimfunshi means hope.
What I wish for
I am old now, but Chimfunshi lives on. It must continue to exist.
Empathy, passion and courage were the driving forces behind Sheila, David and Stephan's work to lay the foundation for a species-appropriate life for so many chimpanzees, as well as for a life worth living for the people who live here with their families.
Today, Chimfunshi is a place where both animals and humans find hope for the future. It stands for sustainability, the coexistence of humans and nature, and the preservation of biodiversity.
The circle of people fighting day after day for the health and happiness of animals and people has grown. What started as a small endeavour has grown into a comprehensive project, and this is by no means the end.
But we need you! Without your support, Chimfunshi will not be able to continue.
We need every single one of you. Please join us on this journey for the benefit of the chimpanzees, nature, children and the future.
Your Pal
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
Contact us by e-mail at spenden@chimfunshi.de or by phone at +49 175 616 33 92.
We will be happy to answer your questions.
