Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is located in the suburbs of Freetown in the Western Area Peninsula National Park. The park covers 183.37 km², and it is Sierra Leone's westernmost semi-deciduous closed canopy forest. The forest is home to a number of endangered species, among them several endangered bird species and the duiker. The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established by conservationist Bala Amarasekaran and his wife Sharmila in 1995. Originally founded to enforce wildlife laws and save and rehabilitate critically endangered orphaned Western Chimps, today Tacugama has grown into a multi-faceted conservation organization. Tacugama cares for nearly 100 chimpanzees, and is also involved in community education, wildlife field research, environmental sustainability, conservation education and alternative subsistence programs in other locations. It is one of the biggest of its kind in West Africa, part of a network established to help tackle the damage caused to the species by deforestation and other threats. Tacugama is also Freetown's eco-tourism hub, which is home to 6 eco-lodges and offers a range of activities for tourists and Freetowners alike. In 2019, the Western Chimpanzees were declared the national animal of Sierra Leone. It was a solemn moment for Tacugama, which was one of the driving forces of the decision.