Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage

DeeDee is an adorable nine-month-old chimp who played with us during our visit to Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage. Like the other 110 chimpanzees at Chimfunshi, DeeDee was rescued by Sheila and David Siddle, the owners of a farm that has become a refuge for animals that are sick or lost. DeeDee lives with the Siddle's daughter and is treated very much like a human baby. She drinks from a bottle, wears diapers, and sleeps in the same bed with her human caregiver! As you can see, DeeDee makes friends easily and seemed to enjoy showing off for us by swinging from my hands or cuddling on David's shoulder.

DeeDee needed to be rescued because the alpha male in her group rejected her. Many of the other rescued chimps have sadder stories. Two chimps were deserted in a zoo that closed. They were found locked in their cage, wading around in two feet of filth. Another large male, Toto, was part of a Chilean circus. He wore an earring and had been taught to smoke and drink beer as part of a sideshow. The Siddles have a world-renowned facility that provides loving and appropriate care for these fascinating creatures.

On the day we stopped at Chimfunshi, we were the only visitors, so we were treated to a very personalized tour that included playing with DeeDee, watching the afternoon "milk break" at the chimp enclosure, and having our lunch in the Siddles' backyard.