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Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a leading conservation institution in Sierra Leone, has launched the nation’s first-ever canopy walkway, providing visitors with an elevated view of the forest and its endangered chimpanzees.
The walkway, suspended among treetops, aims to promote eco-tourism while supporting conservation education. Bala Amarasekaran, founder of Tacugama, described the project as a milestone in the sanctuary’s 30-year mission to protect chimpanzees and their habitat.
“This canopy walkway is not just an attraction; it offers Sierra Leoneans and tourists a new perspective on nature,” Amarasekaran said.
Tourists who previewed sections of the walkway described the experience as unique and immersive. “It felt like flying. Like Sierra Leone was showing us its soul from above,” one visitor told Politico.
Despite the milestone, Tacugama continues to face challenges, including encroachment from neighboring communities, habitat destruction, and hunting of chimpanzees for bushmeat. Amarasekaran warned that without strong legal protections, conservation gains could be at risk.
The sanctuary, which belongs to the government but receives no direct state funding, relies on self-financing, grants, and international support. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded the canopy walkway, while the World Bank Group, through the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project, is supporting Tacugama’s Innovation Centre and Botanical Garden.
Beyond protecting chimpanzees, Tacugama engages over 100 communities nationwide, reaching more than 10,000 beneficiaries annually. Its initiatives extend to safeguarding three of Sierra Leone’s four national parks and advancing goals aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including youth and women empowerment, climate action, and sustainable livelihoods.
In 2019, the government declared the Western Chimpanzee Sierra Leone’s national animal and a symbol of tourism, highlighting the species’ ecological and cultural importance. With only an estimated 5,500 wild chimpanzees remaining in the country, Tacugama’s mission remains critical.
The canopy walkway and associated facilities aim to balance conservation, tourism, and education while raising awareness about the country’s natural heritage. Amarasekaran emphasized that the sanctuary’s success depends on continued support, legal protection, and community engagement.
“Tacugama is not only saving chimpanzees; it is building a future where Sierra Leoneans can connect with nature and recognize that conservation is essential for survival,” he said.
