After five months of closure in protest of widespread deforestation, the world-renowned Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone has reopened its gates to visitors.
The sanctuary, located about 15 kilometers from the capital, Freetown, announced its reopening after the government committed to take stronger measures against illegal logging and land grabbing threatening the reserve.
Founded by conservationist Bala Amarasekaran, Tacugama has long stood as a symbol of Sierra Leone’s environmental resilience and a leading center for eco-tourism in West Africa.
Since opening in 1995, it has survived civil unrest, rebel attacks during the country’s 1991–2002 civil war, and even a year-long closure during the Ebola outbreak.
Amarasekaran said the decision to close the sanctuary on May 26, 2025, was not easy, but necessary.
“Our closure was never a choice—it was an act of protection,” he told AFP. “We could not stand by as illegal land-grabbing and deforestation threatened Tacugama’s survival.”
The sanctuary, which spans dozens of hectares within the Western Area Peninsula National Park, shelters more than 120 rescued chimpanzees.
These are mostly orphaned primates under the age of five whose families were killed by poachers or lost to habitat destruction.
The park itself is vital to Sierra Leone’s biodiversity—home to nearly 90 percent of the nation’s plant and animal species.
However, environmental experts warn that the area is under serious threat. Of the park’s 18,000 hectares of tropical rainforest, nearly 5,600 hectares have been destroyed or degraded since 2012 due to illegal logging, charcoal production, and urban expansion.
The sanctuary’s management says the government’s recent commitment to tackle illegal land encroachment, enforce conservation laws, and support reforestation efforts was a key condition for reopening.
During the five-month closure, Tacugama faced significant financial challenges, affecting its staff, surrounding communities, and the wellbeing of its animals.
Yet, support from local and international conservation partners helped the facility stay afloat.
“These months tested our strength,” Amarasekaran added. “But we emerged more determined than ever to protect our forests, our wildlife, and the future of Sierra Leone’s environment.”
Tacugama now plans to expand its educational programs, eco-tourism initiatives, and partnerships with schools to raise awareness about conservation. It will also work with local communities to promote sustainable land use and reduce reliance on logging for income.
As visitors return, the sanctuary hopes to continue its mission—not only as a refuge for endangered chimpanzees but as a powerful voice for environmental action in Sierra Leone and beyond.
