Chimfunshi Verein zum Schutz bedrohter Umwelt e.V.

"Chimfunshi Verein zum Schutz bedrohter Umwelt e.V." is a German-based fundraising entity with the aim of protecting endangered chimpanzees and supporting the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust (CWOT) in Zambia.

Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust (CWOT), located in the northern Copperbelt region of Zambia, is one of the largest chimpanzee sanctuaries in the world. In an area of over 10,000 hectares of Miombo forest on the banks of Zambia’s 2nd largest river, the Upper Kafue River, over 150 endangered chimpanzees and other wild animals in need have found a place to be rescued and rehabilitated in species-appropriate semicaptive enclosures. CWOT was created in 1983 to give a growing population of displaced chimpanzees a home. CWOT provides employment opportunities, develops local partnerships to decrease poverty, and creates new sources of income to develop ecotourism activities. Lastly, CWOT is an effective tool for communication, awareness and education on local and international biodiversity, conservation, and animal welfare.

CWOT's missions are 1) to support wildlife law enforcement and rescue and rehabilitate orphaned chimpanzees and other wildlife by providing the best long-life care, 2) to engage children and the community to protect chimpanzees, local wildlife and the Miombo forest through education and 3) to reduce poverty and improve local community well-being through medical care, gender equality, alternative income community-based projects (e.g., organic farming) and capacity building.