The management and staff of Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, with support from Mustapha Katta, have welcomed a three-month-old rescued baby chimpanzee, named “Stacey,” into the Western Area National Park family. Stacey was rescued by Mustapha Katta, Managing Director of Smart Farms SL Limited, during a visit to his farm.

Bala Amarasekaran, Founder and Program Director of Tacugama, described the symbolic naming ceremony as a key step in the sanctuary’s ongoing commitment to wildlife preservation. “Declaring a chimpanzee as a national animal is about more than the species itself; it’s about protecting the forest and all life within it,” he said, highlighting Rwanda’s success in gorilla conservation and urging Sierra Leone to emulate such efforts.

Tacugama celebrated its 30th anniversary on June 26th, marking three decades of wildlife protection and community engagement. Despite its growth, the sanctuary faces threats from land grabbing and illegal deforestation, driven in part by urban expansion. A recent WFP report documented the loss of 550 hectares in the National Peninsular Part over three months, with Tacugama alone losing more than 100 hectares a situation that forced a five-month closure of the sanctuary.

Amarasekaran called on the government and citizens to take proactive steps to safeguard the sanctuary and its surrounding areas. “Freetown exists because of its water. If we lose this forest, there may come a time when the city will need to be relocated,” he warned. “The hope of Tacugama lies with the younger generation the people who must stand up to protect the sanctuary.”

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Mustapha Katta emphasized the link between farming and conservation. “Farmers often contribute to biodiversity loss, but we can take conscious steps to minimize our impact,” he said, recounting his rescue of Stacey. “It’s not just about naming a baby chimp; it’s about raising awareness and encouraging responsible actions in our communities.”

The 2019 Tacugama Census recorded 5,580 Western Chimpanzees in the wild in Sierra Leone, with more than half living outside protected areas and vulnerable to habitat loss. Despite these challenges, progress is evident: 103,000 trees have been planted at Tacugama this year. Amarasekaran stressed the need for strict law enforcement, noting, “When a government demarcates a protected area, it should be a boundary that no one crosses. Lawlessness cannot be an excuse to allow your National Park to be destroyed.”

The event also highlighted the establishment of Friends of Tacugama – Sierra Leone, aimed at raising awareness and promoting conservation efforts nationwide. Katta noted, “This initiative is not just about fundraising; it is about encouraging Sierra Leoneans to take responsibility and support our wildlife and communities.”

Concluding the ceremony, Amarasekaran reaffirmed Tacugama’s commitment to the environment. “Tacugama was intended to be a small orphanage, but it has become the country’s top eco-tourism destination. We will continue to provide this service for Sierra Leone, contributing to both conservation and the national GDP.”

Stacey’s name was chosen by Mariam Katta, the six-year-old daughter of Mustapha Katta, marking a moment of hope and shared responsibility for Sierra Leone’s wildlife.