Tacugama Sanctuary Reopens After Six-Month Protest Against Deforestation

After a six-month closure in protest against rampant deforestation, the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary has reopened its gates, marking a significant moment in Sierra Leone’s environmental conservation journey.

Located just 15 kilometres from Freetown within the Western Area Peninsula National Park, Tacugama has long stood as a beacon of ecotourism and wildlife protection in West Africa. Home to more than 120 chimpanzees many orphaned by poaching and habitat destruction the sanctuary plays a vital role in safeguarding the critically endangered Western chimpanzee.

The sanctuary’s bold closure was intended to compel government action to halt the environmental degradation threatening its survival. The Western Area Peninsula National Park, which spans 18,000 hectares, has lost or severely degraded over 5,600 hectares of forest since 2012. According to UNESCO, the park harbours up to 90% of Sierra Leone’s biodiversity.

Tacugama’s closure came at a steep cost: financial strain, staff uncertainty, and fears for the sanctuary’s future.

“The past months have been some of the most challenging in our history,” Amarasekaran noted. “We faced financial loss, uncertainty for our staff and community, and the painful question of whether Tacugama could ever reopen its doors.”

The sanctuary’s reopening on November 1, 2025, followed a renewed commitment from the Sierra Leonean government to address the threats facing the reserve. While details of the government’s pledge remain under wraps, Tacugama’s leadership has expressed cautious optimism.