AVG TEMP:
LANGUAGE LESSON:
22 C
Bemba “Amenshi” “Water”
WHAT’S NEW ON THE GROUND? • • •
In January, Chimfunshi had their first chimpanzee rescue since 2005! Chimfunshi rescued a further 6 chimpanzees in March. We had so much rain our long drop toilets nearly overflowed – ew!
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We spent nearly 120 hours observing the chimps – feeding, playing, grooming and just being chimps.
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11 hours were spent patrolling the enclosure boundaries to make sure they were safe and secure.
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Nearly 140 hours were spent scrubbing and sweeping enclosures to help keep them clean for the chimps.
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Just under 70 volunteer hours were spent preparing fruit and vegetables and rolling nshima balls for the chimps’ lunch and dinner.
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We were privileged to have enjoyed 68 hours with the special bushwalk chimps, exploring their enclosure together.
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Volunteers spent 125 hours in the heat of the sun working hard to help Chimfunshi in their goal to become more self-sustaining.
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9 sacks of juicy tomatoes were harvested for the chimps to enjoy, and the field cleared of their support sticks ready to be ploughed.
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We picked 13 sacks of Chinese cabbage and 10 sacks of mustard and planted 800 cabbage seedlings.
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We fertilized an incredible 3,600 cabbages and 1,000 tomato plants to help them grow.
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Volunteers weeded 1000 tomato plants, as well as 18 rows of butternut and maize to give them more space and nutrients to flourish.
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We shelled dried cow peas to make approximately 30kg of cow peas to grow or feed the chimps.
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After grass cutting, volunteers assisted putting irrigation pipework and sprinklers back in place for 400 fruit trees in the orchard.
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Volunteers assisted in weighing cattle, as well as observing them being dipped to remove external parasites.
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Volunteers spent nearly 110 hours brain storming and preparing enrichment activities for the chimps.
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Enrichment activities kept the animals engaged for over 26 hours.
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Chimfunshi received 6 new rescued chimps in March and volunteers helped to prepare their quarantine cages with branches, tire swings and bedding.
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The baboons and Vervet monkeys were challenged with bamboo puzzles, pots with hay and treats inside, peanuts outside the cage to forage and a mirror to see if they could recognize themselves.
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The parrots had a toilet roll to shred, a new bridge to walk on made of spoons, a mobile made from bamboo and bottle tops with peanuts hidden inside some of the tops, and a spinning bottle puzzle.
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The Escape Artists were challenged with the food maze, a new spinning puzzle and a wooden box of mystery, all placed outside the cage for them to work out.
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The chimps were also encouraged to show natural behaviors: foraging for food hidden around their enclosure in things such as pipes or bamboo, nest building with vegetation brought in to their enclosure and were also challenged to ‘fish for’ items out of reach showing tool use.
“Enriching, moving and inspiring experience, worth the money spent. If it hadn't been for African Impact, I would have never learnt from this amazing place.” Anna, Spain, Chimfunshi Volunteer 2018
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Volunteers spent 68 hours at the local school.
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At the start of the year we ran a holiday club with dolls, cars, skipping ropes and other toys for the children to enjoy.
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During Conservation Club, volunteers led 3 litter picks and accompanied the group of students on a nature walk.
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After-school sport sessions were tiring in the heat, but great fun!
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Just over 40 hours were spent helping Chimfunshi’s vet, Thalita.
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Volunteers helped monitor and record information for 5 chimpanzee health checks; Mum Little Jane and her two sons, Little Jo and Little Jones and mum Dora and her son Daniel (who was temporarily removed for intensive feeding and treatment before reintroduction).
“Chimfunshi is a crazy place where I had amazing experiences. On my day off I would always find a way to get to the chimps, whether it was biking, hitchhiking, or my last choice, walking! At the orphanage I loved to say hello to Sheila, play scrabble and I loved canoeing. At the enclosures I loved joking with the keepers, watching yawning chimps or making eye contact with some. On my way back to the education center I would stop at the school to play with the kids, have fun shouting my famous ‘Olaaaaaaay!’. Everything was crazy! Thank you Chimfunshi, I’ll come back!” Lucas - Belgium
“Wow wow wow!! I can’t even begin to explain my time at Chimfunshi. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly (even the chimps!). Working with the chimps was truly amazing; from the behavior enrichment with the Escape Artists and food preparation, to enclosure cleaning (which was dirty and hard work, but very rewarding as you washed away the brown, dirty water afterwards!). It was amusing when the chimps followed us while patrolling the boundary of the enclosure – as if they were supervising us! This was an experience of a lifetime and one that I will never forget.” Becky – United Kingdom
Until next time
The Chimfunshi Team!