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About Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage |
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Chipangali is a haven for wild animals which have little hope for
survival in the wild – creatures which have been orphaned, abandoned,
injured, born in captivity or brought up unsuccessfully as pets. It is
often the last refuge for those brought in sick or injured, and
increasingly it is a sanctuary for confiscated animals.
Chipangali has been
featured in countless documentaries and is now world renowned for its
pioneering work and is famed as one of Africa’s largest and most
successful wildlife rehabilitation/release centres.
The wildlife Orphanage was
established in 1973 by ex-game ranger Vivian Wilson and his wife Paddy,
and its primary function is to offer a home to orphaned, abandoned and
sick wild animals. Chipangali is not a zoo.
Wherever possible,
rescued animals and birds are rehabilitated and returned to the wild. If
safe release into their natural habitat is not possible, animals are
cared for and kept for educational purposes and zoological study. In the
case of endangered species, captive breeding programs may also be
undertaken.
Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage
is a registered Welfare Organization (38/77) in Zimbabwe.
The word Chipangali comes from
the Chinyanja language in eastern Zambia where Viv Wilson originally
began his career in with the Zambia Government as a tsetse-fly control
operator, it is here that the whole concept of Chipangali was born and
derived. The word means ‘open friendly country’.
The Functions of Chipangali today:
1. Wildlife Orphanage/ Animal Rehabilitation Centre: To provide a
service to rescue and care for injured wildlife, thereby providing a
home for the many injured, sick, orphaned, abused, confiscated or
abandoned wild animals from anywhere in Zimbabwe.
2. Education: to educate the Zimbabwe public, especially young children,
with the aid of live viewing of many species not easily seen in the
wild. Provide relevant lectures, film and slide shows for visiting
groups. Thus providing a local resource centre for children to
appreciate the important value of Zimbabwe’s natural heritage.
3. Nature Conservation: to teach people and especially children, to
appreciate the wonder and variety of indigenous wildlife and not to take
it for granted that these animals or their environment will not always
be there for their enjoyment without the correct management of our
natural resources.
4. Research: to observe and record useful zoological information on
captive animals such as body growth and development, nutrition,
dentition and gestation periods. Relevant research and field surveys are
undertaken in the wild, under natural conditions in National Parks and
protected areas.
5. Cooperation: To provide a link between local and governmental
authorities thus being able to offer assistance to organizations like
SPCA, National Parks, schools and private individuals where ever problem
animals are concerned.
Source: official site of
Chipangali Wildlife
Orphanage (2009)
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