Health checks & secure transport units

This Great Ape Giving Day, I’ve created this page to raise $5,000 toward the health checks and secure transport units Chicco, Emma, and Charlie need. It’s part of the $29,000 required to bring them safely home and continue the Siddles’ legacy of compassion in action.

Jane Goodall, David Siddle & Sheila Siddle at Chimfunshi wildlife Orphanage Trust

More than forty years ago, David Siddle and Sheila Siddle imagined a place where orphaned chimpanzees could find safety, care, and the freedom to be wild again. That dream became Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust, a sanctuary of hope that has grown into one of the largest chimpanzee refugees in the world.

Now, three incredible chimpanzees, Chicco, Emma, and Charlie, are ready to join this legacy. After years of care at Drakenstein Lion Park in South Africa, they are ready for a permanent home at Chimfunshi in Zambia, where they can live in expansive forested enclosures among their own kind.

Meet the chimps

Chicco (41 years old) 

Chicco’s life began in hardship, once used for laboratory research in Europe, and later sent to a zoo. Despite the stress and uncertainty he endured, Chicco has grown into a calm and thoughtful presence at Chimfunshi. The years left their mark, and he sometimes over-grooms as a reminder of his past, but here he is safe, cared for, and free to live with dignity.

Chicco’s story reminds us why every act of compassion matters, it gives second chances to those who have endured too much.

Emma (22 years old)

Emma’s life began in captivity, hand-raised without the natural bonds every young chimp deserves. Yet she has blossomed into a confident and charismatic individual,  resilient, spirited, and full of promise. Among her companions, she is the most well-adjusted, carrying herself with a quiet strength that shines.

At Chimfunshi, Emma has the chance to flourish in safety, surrounded by others like her, where her true potential can thrive.

Charlie (17 years old)

Charlie’s journey has not been easy, as a young chimp, he battled and survived tuberculosis, which left his small frame forever marked by those early struggles. But what he lacks in size, he makes up for in spirit. Gentle yet resilient, Charlie carries a fierce determination and an open heart, longing for a place where he can truly belong.

At Chimfunshi, Charlie will find the safety, companionship, and love he has always deserved.

Why This Matters

This rescue is about more than relocation

For Chicco, Emma, and Charlie, the journey to Chimfunshi represents a second chance at life. Before they can find their forever home under the African sky, international permits must be secured, veterinary checks completed, and special transport units prepared for their safety. A dedicated veterinarian will travel with them every step of the way, and once they arrive, they will undergo quarantine before joining established chimpanzee families where they can finally belong.

For Chicco, Emma, and Charlie, Chimfunshi is more than a new home, it’s the embodiment of a dream: a place where they will never again be caged, sold, or transported, where they will receive individual care and rehabilitation, where they can rediscover the joy of building nests, climbing trees, and living as wild beings, and where they will stand as ambassadors for their species, inspiring protection for wildlife everywhere. 

By supporting this rescue, you help fulfill the Siddles’ vision and prove that compassion can change the world, one life at a time. Together, we can give them the future they deserve. Goal: $29,000