History
Sierra Leone’s Immigration Department began issuing new passports featuring the chimpanzee, highlighting its status as the country’s national animal. As the first nation to grant this recognition, Sierra Leone underscores the importance of chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, in conservation efforts.
TKEEP (Tacugama Kids Environmental Education Program) is an initiative aimed at educating children in Sierra Leone about conservation and environmental protection. First developed by Tacugama in 2007, the manual has undergone several updates to become a comprehensive guide. In 2022, it was integrated into the national school curriculum.
On 27th April, Bala Amarasekaran was decorated with the presidential award of “Commander of the Order of Rokel” in recognition of his outstanding service to the country in the area of wildlife conservation, biodiversity preservation and other related areas.
In 2020, Tacugama closed for over eight months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Strict hygiene measures were enforced to protect both the staff and the chimpanzees from infection.
The Loma Mountains National Park (LMNP) was designated a national park in 2012. With funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the TCOP team conducted a chimpanzee survey in the park and estimated a density of 4.81 chimpanzees/km² and a total population of 1,390. This makes LMNP home…Read More
The chimpanzee was declared Sierra Leone’s national animal during an official visit by Dr. Jane Goodall, to emphasize the importance of conserving the endangered Western chimpanzee and raising awareness about protecting their habitats. It has also become the symbol of tourism for the country.
The landslide in Freetown occurred on August 14, 2017, when heavy rains caused a catastrophic mudslide on the slopes of the Sugar Loaf Mountain. The landslide swept through burying homes and causing over 1,100 deaths. The disaster highlighted the environmental challenges due to deforestation in the region.
The 2014 Ebola outbreak significantly impacted Tacugama, as the virus can spread from humans to apes. The sanctuary closed for over one and a half years, implementing strict biosecurity measures to protect both chimpanzees and staff. Tacugama struggled to maintain operations, facing reduced visitors and donations. None of the staff…Read More
The Western Area Peninsula Forest was officially declared a national park in 2012 and renamed the Western Area Peninsula National Park (WAPNP). This designation aimed to enhance the protection of its rich biodiversity, including endangered species like the Western chimpanzee, and to safeguard the forest’s vital role in providing water…Read More
The national chimpanzee census showed that over half of the wild chimpanzee population lives outside protected areas, facing human conflict over habitat and resources. In response, Tacugama launched community livelihood, conservation, and research initiatives, resulting in the creation of the Tacugama Conservation Outreach Projects (TCOP).
For 15 years, Tacugama received orphaned chimpanzees from across Sierra Leone. It became crucial to implement conservation measures. Tacugama lead a national chimpanzee census and estimated 5,500 wild chimpanzees in the country, making it home to the third-largest Western chimpanzee population.
Without government financial support and relying on limited donations, Bala built the first two ecolodges named after the first two chimps he rescued, Bruno and Julie. This development aimed to offer an eco-tourism experience in the peaceful, secluded forest while also raising funds to cover the sanctuary’s operating costs.
On April 23, 2006 a group of 31 chimpanzees escaped from Tacugama. In the following two weeks after the escape, 21 chimpanzees returned, of which 19 had done so of their own will. After two months, 26 of of the 31 were back. There was a lapse of another three…Read More
In 2005, the volunteer quarters, staff quarters and the new dens were built to accommodate the ever increasing personnel at Tacugama and 16 more young chimpanzees. An onsite veterinarian joined the team at Tacugama for the first time. In order to promote the conservation of wild chimpanzees in Guinea and…Read More
Four additional enclosures and dens were built in 2004 to accommodate the increasing number of resident chimpanzees. Jaguar’s group, a group of young chimpanzees, were released into one of the new enclosures. The release was filmed to create the third documentary: “Bala, the Friend of Chimpanzees”, which was aired in…Read More
Tacugama made a big step forward in 2000, when three electric fenced enclosures, dens, a food storage room and office were constructed. Bruno’s was the first group of the chimpanzees to be released into the enclosure. Furthermore Tacugama, together with 17 other African Primate sanctuaries, formed an alliance, the Pan…Read More
A few weeks after WSPA’s visit, rebel forces made another attempt to overthrow the government, and on January 6th 1999, rebels once again advanced on Freetown. Heavy fighting ensued in the capital and more than 3,000 people were killed and many others mutilated in the in the following weeks. The…Read More
In November 1998, WSPA were finally able to visit the project and support the building of three electric fences, covering a total area of 8 acres. There were 21 chimpanzees at the sanctuary at this time and a new chimpanzee recently confiscated by WCB, called Christo, was being nursed at…Read More
In May 1997, a month before WSPA was due to visit the sanctuary, a coup occurred in Sierra Leone. The rebel forces had seized power of the capital Freetown and were running a campaign of terror and looting causing the President to flee. The Nigerian led West African Intervention Force,…Read More
As news of the program spread, so did reports of more captive chimpanzees in Freetown. Some chimpanzees were handed over to the sanctuary and others were confiscated under the provisions of the Wildlife Conservation Act of 1972. For the next two years, chimpanzees continued to be rescued from desperate situations…Read More
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