With the reopening of the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, visitors can now see the chimps again, following a strong promise by the government to stop people from encroaching on the sanctuary. Bala, the founder, said he is hopeful that the government will keep its word.
The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, one of Sierra Leone’s most celebrated wildlife refuges, has reopened to the public after being closed for five months in protest against growing deforestation and illegal land-grabbing around its protected area.
The reopening on Saturday drew scores of visitors, including Hon. Alpha Ben Mansaray, a Member of Parliament, who joined conservationists, families, and wildlife lovers to celebrate the sanctuary’s return.
Founded by environmentalist Bala Amarasekaran, the sanctuary had been closed since May 26 to raise alarm about the destruction of the Western Area Peninsula rainforest — home to the critically endangered Western chimpanzee.
“Our closure was never a choice. It was an act of protection and a stand against illegal land-grabbing that posed a serious threat to Tacugama,” Amarasekaran said.
According to management, the gates were reopened after the Sierra Leone government assured that it would take firm action to protect the forest and address encroachment.
“The past months have been some of the most challenging in our history,” Amarasekaran explained. “We faced financial loss, uncertainty for our staff and community, and the painful question of whether Tacugama could ever reopen its doors.”
Located about 15 kilometres from Freetown, the sanctuary is home to over 120 rescued chimpanzees, many of them orphans whose parents were killed by poachers or deforestation.
Amarasekaran said the chimps have taught him profound lessons about life.
“The chimpanzees teach me forgiveness, patience, and the power of not holding grudges,” he said. “That’s why I’m committed to protecting them — they remind us of who we truly are.”
During the reopening, visitors toured the enclosures, learned about conservation efforts, and shared hopes that the government will do more to protect the country’s natural habitats.
Hon. Alpha Ben Mansaray praised Tacugama for its role in promoting eco-tourism, calling it “a national treasure that must be protected at all costs.”
Over the years, Tacugama has survived war, disease outbreaks, and financial hardship — yet continues to stand as a beacon of environmental hope.
Of the 18,000 hectares that make up the Western Area Peninsula National Park, an estimated 5,600 hectares have already been lost or severely damaged since 2012. Conservationists say the sanctuary’s reopening is a renewed call for collective action to protect Sierra Leone’s forests and wildlife for future generations.
