Chimfunshi is a Chimpanzee Sanctuary based in Northern Zambia offering home to approximately 120 chimpanzees. The objective for African Impact Foundation's conservation project is to ensure the protection and rehabilitation of the chimpanzees at the sanctuary and to reduce the negative impact of humans on wildlife, in this case to to ensure that the 'Escape Artists' have safe access to a more natural environment whilst enclosed.
There are currently four chimpanzees aptly named the Escape Artists due to their ability to escape from the large forested enclosures at Chimfunshi in Chingola, Zambia. Because of their escaping abilities they are housed in a large enclosure for their safety and for that of visitors, volunteers and keepers, but which does not allow them access to their natural, forested habitat.
This project is in partnership with Chimfunshi to give the Escape Artists safe access to the forest behind their current home. The fundraising efforts are towards the expansion and electrical system needed to ensure the Escape Artists can access a more natural, forested environment within a secure fenced enclosure. The key objective is the improvement of the health and wellbeing of the Chimpanzees in relation to the more space and a more natural environment.
Our long term objective is to first, improve the wellbeing of the Escape Artists. Next, we seek to conserve the Chimpanzee population in Africa and to reduce the negative impact of human-wildlife conflict on Chimpanzees in Zambia. By demonstrating a better living environment will help to educate visitors that come to the sanctuary as well as donors of Chimfunshi.
