Veterinary assistance; 108 Research; 40
School Behaviour 146.5 enrichment, Boundary 150 patrol; 78 Bushwalk; 120
Other; 86 Infrastructure; Food prep; 12 81.25
Fruit tree nursery; 6 Farming; 233
Enclosure cleaning; 208 AVG TEMP:
LANGUAGE LESSON:
17 C
Bemba “Natotela Sana” “Thank you very much”
WHAT’S NEW ON THE GROUND? Baby chimp, Little Joey, was successfully reintroduced to his mother, Little Jane, after some intensive feeding and medical attention from the vet. • Jo-Jo, a cow calf, was well enough to re-join her herd at the farm. • Chimfunshi hosted this year’s PASA Primates conference. •
• Volunteers assisted researchers by observing and monitoring the chimpanzees for just under 40 hours this quarter. This provides vital data for on-going research initiatives. • 78 hours were spent patrolling the enclosure boundaries to make sure the chimps are secure. • Volunteers took part in a number of ‘bushwalks’ at the orphanage, interacting with 3 special chimps that have resided at Chimfunshi for years and require the additional enrichment. • Over 80 hours were spent preparing food for the chimps, making nshima balls, chopping sugar and cabbage, and grating sweet potato and tungalulu (bush fruit). • Nearly 210 hours were dedicated to cleaning the feeding rooms, keeping our environment clean and safe for the chimpanzees.
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Volunteers picked 35 sacks of oranges from the fruit tree orchard, providing much-needed vitamin C for the chimps during the ‘winter’ season.
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We harvested 44 sacks of spinach and rape planted by volunteers back in June.
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170 watermelon seeds, 1500 beans, 220 peas, 330 maize and 1200 onions were planted.
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3 new boreholes were dug, with solar pumps installed to help provide a more reliable water source for the crops.
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The newly invented ‘Jazel’ (see last quarter’s newsletter) was used to fertilize 8 lines of mustard, over 1000 spinach and 300 rape.
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We weeded approximately 350m of carrot seedlings.
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Volunteers watched the cattle at the farm get dipped to remove external parasites.
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With the newly installed solar pump and borehole, we planted 700 onion seedlings and watered them in.
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To produce fruit for the chimps in the near future, volunteers watered and nurtured 20 fruit tree seedlings in the nursery to be transplanted to the orchard soon.
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Despite us being very excited for the chimps to be given a tire-swing, they were very reluctant to venture on it!
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2 new hammocks hung from the roof of the enclosure were a much greater success.
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Bamboo poles with items hanging off the end were hung outside of the enclosure, which the chimps had to figure how to reach to get their reward.
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Food and non-food items were put out of reach on the floor with string attached, so that the chimps had to use sticks to hook the end of the string (fishing) and pull in the item to them once close enough to reach.
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African Impact staff made a food maze out of wood. The chimps had to use sticks to move the food around the maze for it to get to end and fall for them to collect, as well as a rotating bottle puzzle where sticks had to be used to rotate the bottles to drop out their prize.
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Volunteers demonstrated the hula hoop and hoped the chimps would copy…. But they just wanted to eat it!
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Small items such as raisins and nuts were hidden in leaf piles, within colored paper packages, boxes and water bottles for the chimps to forage.
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A male chimp, Zsabu, was given enrichment as physiotherapy to try and encourage arm movement after an injury.
“Volunteering at Chimfunshi is an experience that you won't regret; as long as you are willing to put in the effort. Chimfunshi is unique and it is a real privilege to see so many happy chimps spending their lives in a sanctuary surrounded by people who really care about them. If you have a passion for primates, you cannot go wrong volunteering here.” Sophie, UK, Chimfunshi Volunteer 2017
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After nearly 4 months in camp, Jo-Jo the calf returned to the herd after learning how to become a cow!
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Volunteers assisted the vet with 7 procedures, ranging from contraceptive implants to wound sutures, and helped clean up and restock vet supplies.
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Little Joey the chimp was removed from his mother, Little Jane, for some intensive feeding and treatment with the vet after his poor start in life, but was successfully reunited with his mother this quarter.
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During the school holidays, we held a holiday club once a week and gave children a safe space to come and play.
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A nursery group was started once a week to try and engage the young kids not yet old enough for school.
“We all spent a night in town at a Game Ranch. As well as a walking safari to see antelope at the ranch, we all enjoyed the luxuries of an indoor toilet, TV, double bed and most importantly, a swimming pool! It was absolutely hilarious when Jo did a cannonball, soaking Jane who was reading in the sunshine!! The morning that we left one of the zebras gave birth, and we were able to go and visit the next time we went to town to meet their new addition. Fantastic!” Gemma – United Kingdom
“Spending time with Thalita (the vet) truly is inspiring. Working in the middle of the bush, without a lab, or a clinic, and even without some of the usual equipment; she cares for cows, chimps, monkeys, staff pets and people alike. On Monday we went to give a cow with a broken leg a plaster cast, not an easy task in the middle of a dusty paddock! She has such an impact on the animals and the community, so it makes me think what can I do with my life.” Camilla – United Kingdom
Until next time
The Chimfunshi Team!!