Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage (7189)
Zambia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage
Central coordinates: Latitude: -12.3333, Longitude: 27.5167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1280 to 1280
Area of KBA (km2): 98.61129
Protected area coverage (%): 1.07
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large private farm on the banks of the Kafue river and close to its headwaters. It lies between the Chingola–Solwezi road and the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Much of the area is rich miombo woodland which is interspersed with dambo and mushitu. Some sections of the Kafue are fringed with tall riparian forest and others spread onto wide flood-plains. At the heart of the farm is a long-established chimpanzee orphanage which has received considerable attention from the international media (though chimpanzees are not indigenous to Zambia). This aspect of the farm continues to grow and develop; 5,300 ha has been fenced in order to establish a private game reserve and within this area, 1,000 ha has been fenced for chimpanzees. Cattle are farmed on the remaining 4,000 ha. Visitors are welcome, there are chalets, a campsite and an education centre, and there are plans to build a lodge and an airstrip.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 3 for key species. The area is rich in Zambezian biome endemics, including Stactolaema whytii, Lybius minor, Eremomela atricollis, Phylloscopus laurae, Plocepasser rufoscapulatus and Lamprotornis acuticaudus. As well as those already mentioned, a wide range of mushitu species includes Musophaga rossae, Mesopicos griseocephalus, Campephaga quiscalina, Sheppardia bocagei, Trochocercus cyanomelas, Telophorus multicolor and Estrilda perreini. Grus carunculatus is a rare visitor. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 3 | |
| Forest | 96 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Much of the indigenous game had disappeared due to poaching by the late 1970s, but with increased protection and restocking it is hoped that numbers will build up to their former levels. It is unlikely that there are any serious threats to birds at the site.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Only in the past and unlikely to return |