The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, along with the Tacuguma Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS), the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), Legal Atlas, and other stakeholders, supported a three-day wildlife law enforcement training at Hotel Barmoi, Aberdeen, Freetown.

United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the Tacuguma Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS), in collaboration with the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), Legal Atlas, and other stakeholders, supported a three-day Legal Training in Support of Wildlife Law Enforcement at Hotel Barmoi, Aberdeen, Freetown.

The training aimed to strengthen Sierra Leone’s wildlife law enforcement efforts, focusing on tackling illegal wildlife trade.

The event brought together 50 participants, including officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Climate Change, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, the National Protected Area Authority, and the Otamba Kilimi National Park. The diverse group of stakeholders shared insights and strategies on various aspects of wildlife conservation and law enforcement.

Among the key topics covered during the training were the critical interdependence between humans and wildlife, the consequences of biodiversity loss, and the specific focus on chimpanzees—Sierra Leone’s national animal. Other subjects included “Wildlife Trafficking is Getting Smarter,” “Networks Defeating Networks,” and the legal tools available for wildlife conservation and trade in Sierra Leone. Participants were also trained on how to utilize the Legal Atlas platform to access relevant wildlife laws.

Further discussions covered topics such as species listing for conservation priorities, the legal status of chimpanzees, international trade laws governing endangered species, and practical aspects of wildlife crime scene investigation, evidence handling, and criminal justice procedures. Mr. James Wingard, JD, Co-Founder and Legal Director of Legal Atlas, praised the US Embassy in Freetown for its commitment to wildlife protection, recalling a similar training conducted the previous year for judges and prosecutors.

Participants were reminded that Sierra Leone, home to the world’s only national animal chimpanzee, is at the forefront of global wildlife and tourism initiatives. The representative from the Ministry of Forestry emphasized the ministry’s role in protecting the country’s forests and wildlife, noting that illegal wildlife trade is a significant threat to biodiversity and a global security issue. He urged participants to share the knowledge gained and continue working towards eliminating illegal poaching.

Hon. Mariama Zombo, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Climate Change and the Environment, stressed the importance of understanding and enforcing wildlife laws, noting that Parliament is pushing for a bill to prosecute offenders. The event concluded with a certificate presentation and a lively discussion on extending the training to wider audiences.