Mathias & R.E. Chapman Chinchilla Research

(above) Altiplano Plateau of Chile - origin of the wild chinchilla

Chapman Chinchilla Research
attr. to Mathias & Reginald Chapman circa 1930-1945

The first chinchillas to arrive in the United States were imported from Chile by Mr. Mathias Chapman in 1923. With this small group of wild caught chinchillas, he established the world's first domestic breeding herd. Subsequently, almost a century ago, Chapman Chinchilla drafted what is perhaps the first research study of the domestic chinchilla. This historic account will be published in four parts during the winter of 2024-2025.

        "For the past ten years the CHAPMAN CHINCHILLA RESEARCH laboratory has been actively engaged in the study of the chinchilla and has devoted itself to the detection, prevention, and control of disease characteristics [of] the chinchilla. During this period certain products and methods of treatment have been developed which have consistently proven to be successful in the battle against disease. Because the laboratory has devoted itself to the chinchilla industry as a whole in its efforts to promote research on the chinchilla it is believed that information obtained through its efforts should be made available to all breeders. With this purpose in mind, it is hoped that the following information will be of value to breeders everywhere and to the industry to which we are devoted."