Wilson passed away at his home in Bulawayo on Sunday evening.
In statement, Wilson's son, Kevin said his father has been struggling with Kidney failure for the last week.
"It is with great sadness that my father Vivian Wilson passed away at his home in Bulawayo. He had been struggling with Kidney failure for the last week. We all know his great love for animals, birds and all creatures in general" said Kevin.
Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage, a non profit organisation dedicated to the rescue and care of orphaned, injured, abandoned, abused or confiscated wild animals in southern Africa was formed by Wilson in 1973.
Post published in: News
Sorry to have just heard of passing of Viv Wilson. May I offer my condolences to Paddy and family. I met him many years ago when I was living in Botswana and saw him when I visited Bulawayo. In those days he took his animals to the Bulawayo Show to raise funds. On one occasion I flew in a cheetah I named Tiki I had hand raised with the help of a Great Dane female who had pups. I was allowed to keep the cheetah but told by Botswana Game people that whe he was grown they would take him, not to free him though,but to kill him and stuff him for display. Viv agreed to take him and I arranged his transport. A year later I was at the show there was Tiki and to the consternation of the show visitors I sqatted next to Tiki’s enclosure and put my had in to stroke him. He rolled over and purred. Viv arrive to see who was the idiot sticking his hand in the cage but he laughed when he saw it was me. At that show I remember Vis holdin races around a small track at his stand at the show with monkeys wearing silks and jockey caps riding on if memory serves,on Warthogs. Viv was truly a great conservationist with an empathy for wildlife I will never forget him. If any of the family would like to contact me I would be delighted. email me at ngharena.gmail.com.
In follow up on other websites about the passing of Viv I was also saddened to learn the his wife Paddy had passed away earliet my I give my condolences again in this regards.