Did you know that the chimpanzee is Sierra Leone’s national animal? Sierra Leone is home to about 5,500 chimpanzees, one of the highest populations in the world. It is also home to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Over the years, teams and children from the center have had the opportunity to visit the sanctuary.
In November 2019, a team led by Sheri Barnet and ten children from the center visited the sanctuary. The kids were a mixture of excited, interested, and even a bit nervous about the experience. While at the sanctuary, they were guided on a private tour through the jungle. They were able to see the various stages of a chimpanzee’s journey after it is rescued and brought to the sanctuary. Their tour guide taught them about chimpanzees, the facility’s rescuing process, and even told them to take cover from throwing stones! It was a special time for both the team and the children to learn about the chimpanzees and experience their habitat.
The sanctuary is located on the outskirts of Freetown, in the Western Area Peninsula National Park. It spans across one hundred acres and is looking to expand as it continues to work toward preserving Sierra Leone’s remaining wildlife and forestry. Tacugama offers a unique opportunity to witness these chimpanzees in a semi-wild environment. The sanctuary was founded in 1995 by Bala Amarasekaran, a conservationist, in response to the growing problem of orphaned chimpanzees, often victims of the illegal pet trade or deforestation. The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is currently home to one hundred seven chimpanzees.
Beyond rescue and rehabilitation, Tacugama plays an important role in conservation. They actively work to protect chimpanzee habitats and raise awareness about the threats facing this endangered animal. Education is a key component of their mission, and they offer educational programs for local communities, teaching them about the importance of chimpanzee conservation and their vital role in the ecosystem. Visitors can spend the day at the sanctuary, or several eco-lodges are available for overnight stays.
We are grateful that some of our children have had the opportunity to visit this chimpanzee sanctuary in Sierra Leone with a team. Traveling on a team with The Raining Season is an opportunity to love and serve the staff. It is also an opportunity to learn about and experience unique things about Sierra Leone and its culture.
Many blessings,
The Raining Season