Based on the last Conservation Society Sierra Leone (CSSL) chimpanzee survey, the chimpanzee population in the country as of 2010 was five thousand five hundred, a critically low figure. Chimpanzees are the unfortunate victims of bushmeat hunting and deforestation in Sierra Leone. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary currently cares for 118 chimpanzees; these were once horrifically removed from their families, most were kept in extremely deplorable situations and even sustained life-threatening injuries. Now, they live at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary as orphans, who have learned to create a new family, form new friendship bonds, and learn once more how to be chimps. These chimpanzees have become ambassadors of their species and all wildlife in Sierra Leone, including their habitat.
It is no secret that our forests, the home of chimpanzees and a host of other wildlife, are the most valuable life support systems we have. Forests help keep the air clean by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, and help maintain water quality and regulate water flow in rivers and streams; forests also hold significant cultural significance.
That is why, even though Tacugama is a chimpanzee sanctuary, our mandate spans far beyond that; at the very core of our passion is Mama Salone and how we can make her better now and for the generations to come; we are much more than a sanctuary. As such, we are constantly engaged in conservation and education efforts, because to conserve, we must first educate. That is why we have education programs currently running in over 20 schools across the country, to increase that number and reach more young minds. Our education efforts are not solely focused on children; we also conduct research and carry out surveys to understand the perceptions people have toward wildlife and the forest. Tacugama is much more than a sanctuary, and this coming November, from Monday the 20th to Sunday the 26th, we are organizing a celebratory and educative event centred around the chimpanzee, our national animal.
This event, National Animal Week, will be a week-long celebration of our national animal, and it would create a platform for Sierra Leoneans of all ages and backgrounds to learn more about conservation and why they must support conservation efforts being made by organizations like Tacugama, Conservation Society Sierra Leone and line ministries. National Animal Week will be a fusion of art, music, fashion, storytelling, poetry, and fun, of course. We have ensured that there is something for everyone to participate in, from the school children’s march on Monday, the 20th of November, to the Cycling event on Friday, the 24th of November, to the Babu Carnival on Sunday, the 26th of November. We want everyone to get involved, we want everyone to know the importance of what we do and the urgent need for national support.
We have in our hands a beautiful country, a true gem, from her golden shores that lay beautifully at the feet of her towering peninsula mountains, to the dancing elephant grass of her savanna, to her sprawling rivers, feeding life to forest and farmlands as they go. The integrity of our nation’s forests is our responsibility, every single one of us, so we call on all Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone, to gather during this year’s National Animal Week.
