By Kadiatu Sankoh
For over 30 years, Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary has been a beacon of conservation and eco-tourism in Sierra Leone. Under the unwavering dedication of environmentalist, Bala Amarasekaran, it has rescued and rehabilitated chimpanzees, Sierra Leone’s national animal, while preserving vital forest ecosystems.
A premier tourism destination, Tacugama offers guided tours, eco-lodges (treehouses and roundhouses), hiking trails, and birdwatching. Its mission—rescue, rehabilitate, research, educate, and conserve has made it a model for sustainable tourism.
On 26th May 2025 the sanctuary announced its closure to the public due to rampant illegal encroachment and deforestation. While 123 chimpanzees remain under care, their habitat is being destroyed by land grabbers, jeopardizing their survival—and the future of Sierra Leone’s tourism sector.
Tacugama sustains two critical water sources:
– The Congo Dam: Thriving due to afforestation efforts.
– The Tacugama Dam: Rapidly deteriorating from deforestation and encroachment.
If this destruction continues, the consequences will be dire:
Loss of chimpanzee habitat; endangering a keystone species.
Collapse of biodiversity; disrupting the entire ecosystem.
Tourism decline; Tacugama attracts 500-600 visitors monthly, generating vital revenue (NLe 100 for locals, NLe 300 for foreigners).
Water crisis; Increased sedimentation threatens supply for 21 Mountain communities and thousands in Freetown.
When journalists visited on 9th August 2025, they witnessed both progress and peril:
Well-maintained Congo Dam Ongoing trail developments
UNDP-funded 360-meter canopy walkway (future)
Innovation Center (under construction)
But alongside these advancements, illegal logging and settlements are devouring the forest. Bala Amarasekaran warns:
Encroachment has become rampant. Fires set around the sanctuary could destroy electric fences, releasing 120 chimpanzees and triggering a human-wildlife disaster. If this happens, the government will be blamed for inaction.”
President Julius Maada Bio ordered the demolition of illegal structures, but enforcement has stalled. Key agencies like Tourism, Environment, Lands, Water Resources, NPPA, and EPA must act now.
Tacugama is more than a sanctuary; it’s a national service provider, and employs 50+ staff and 200+ community workers, supports 40 schools, built 3 secondary schools, with the 4th underway, and supplies water to 21 communities.
Bala’s plea is urgent: “This is a national emergency. We’re protecting water sources for hundreds of thousands. Why build water tanks if we destroy the watershed? We cannot let a few greedy individuals rob future generations.”
Countries like Rwanda, Kenya, and Costa Rica thrive by protecting wildlife and forests. Eco-tourism fuels jobs, revenue, and global prestige. Sierra Leone must do the same or lose: Chimpanzees national symbol at risk.
Tourism income; Potential 1,000+ visitors/month lost.
Water security in Freetown supply is in jeopardy.
Global credibility; Failure to protect key ecosystems harms Sierra Leone’s reputation.
Why are law enforcement agencies not enforcing the President’s orders? Why fund institutions that fail to safeguard our natural heritage?
The time to act is NOW. Save Tacugama, protect tourism, and secure Sierra Leone’s future.