Viv Wilson

It is with great sadness that we must say farewell to Viv Wilson the

Founder of Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage in Bulawayo.

Chipangali is a wildlife sanctuary for animals which stand little

chance of survival in the wild. Animals, which have either 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.

Vivian Wilson and his late wife Paddy established the wildlife

Orphanage in 1973.

Chipangali is not a zoo; it offers a home to orphaned, abandoned and

sick wild animals. When 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 study. Endangered species may undergo captive

breeding programs.

Viv and Paddy were also very involved in establishing breeding groups

of endangered African wildlife, research into wildlife and ecology,

and education of the public, particularly children, in all fields of

conservation. In addition, Viv carried out surveys on the distribution

of Cheetah in Zimbabwe and on protection of the Chirinda forest.

Mr. Wilson, a biologist, won the Rolex Enterprise Award in 1987 for

his research on the duiker. He was a former chairman of Zimbabwe Parks

and Wildlife Board.

Viv wrote his wonderful book "Orphans of the wild" followed by an

informative compendium on "Duikers of Africa" and in turn a book was

written about Viv entitled "A Man For All Species".

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 Orphanage runs a Volunteer program, the Wildlife Experience

Programme, which encourages young people from anywhere in the world to

come and gain hands-on experience with caring for wild animals.

The word Chipangali comes from the Chinyanja language in eastern

Zambia where Viv Wilson originally began his career 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'.

Chipangali founder Viv Wilson and his wife Paddy retired from the

active side of running the Orphanage over ten years ago, in order to

devote more time to urgent wildlife research projects. Viv has been

the leading instigator of several unique projects, such a ten-year

survey of the duikers of Africa, which culminated in the 800-page

masterpiece named Duikers of Africa, Masters of the African Forest

Floor.

Recently Viv expanded his research activities to include a survey of

the leopard and cheetah of Zimbabwe, the biodiversity of the Matobo

National Park and the formation of the CRI (Carnivore Research

Institute)

Her Royal Highness, Diana, Princess of Wales was Chipangali's patron

from 1983 until her sad death, when the Princess Diana Trust took over

the role. In addition, the conservation activist and ex-actress,

Stephanie Powers is a patron and Ambassador for Chipangali in the USA.

Viv was one of Bulawayo's very special people, a true gentleman,

always with a giant friendly smile, always one to remember a name and

a face.

Viv made an impact on almost every man, woman and child in Zimbabwe.

His love for animals and his dedication to their welfare made him

truly remarkable

Indeed we can safely call Vivian J. Wilson a legend, his absence will

leave an immense gap in the Bulawayo Community.

Please note that the memorial service for Viv will be held at

Chipangali on Saturday 15 September at 11.00 am