By: Emmanuel Mbowa
Freetown, 22nd December 2025- The management and staff of Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, with support from Mustapha Katta, have welcomed a 3-month-old rescued baby chimp named “Stacey” into the Western Area National Park family. Stacey was rescued by Mustapha Katta, the Managing Director of Smart Farms SL Limited, while heading to his farm along with his team.
Bala Amarasekaran, the Founder and Program Director of Tacugama, noted that the symbolic naming ceremony for the baby chimp is a crucial step in their commitment to wildlife preservation. He called for continued efforts to ensure both chimpanzees and their habitats are protected.
Bala Amarasekaran, Founder and Program Director, Tacugama
“When you say a chimpanzee is being declared as a national animal, it is for a reason. Sometimes, you need a focal point for conservation. It’s not just about the chimpanzees; it’s about protecting their habitat. It means the forest is protected, and everything that lives within it is protected,” he added, referencing Rwanda’s successful work in gorilla conservation, which is one of the main contributors to its GDP.
“We need to look at Rwanda how well they have done that. Can we imagine it happening here in Sierra Leone for the chimpanzees? It can, and it is our goal,” he urged.
On June 26th, this year, Tacugama celebrated its 30th anniversary. Although the National Park has grown into more than just a sanctuary, it faces constant threats from land grabbing and illegal deforestation activities, which are largely influenced by urban settlement. A recent WFP report recorded a loss of 550 hectares in the National Peninsular Part, where Tacugama is established. That is the equivalent of 785 football fields of forest gone in just three months. “Tacugama alone has lost over 100 hectares.” This dire situation recently led to a five-month closure of the sanctuary.
Bala called on the government and the people of Sierra Leone to take proactive steps to preserve the sanctuary, its catchments, and the surrounding peninsula.
“Freetown exists because of its water. If we lose this peninsula forest, a time will come when Freetown will have to be relocated to the River Rokel or elsewhere,” he warned. He added, “We must protect this Western Area for everyone. The hope of Tacugama lies with the young generation; the people who must stand up to protect the sanctuary and its surroundings.”
The symbolic ceremony concluded with a shared sense of commitment among climate and environmental experts. The name “Stacey” was chosen by Mariam Katta, Mustapha Katta’s six-year-old daughter.
Mustapha Katta, Managing Director, Smart Farms SL Limited
“I have taken the time to understand the connection between farming and conservation. Often, farmers carry a bad reputation for contributing to biodiversity loss by encroaching on wildlife habitats to grow crops,” said Mustapha Katta.
“Our activities often drive wildlife away. However, I have tried to be conscious of how our work impacts biodiversity,” he said, recounting his intervention in Stacey’s rescue. “When I went to the farm that day and saw a lady holding a chimp, I bought it from her to rescue it. Beyond my connection with Bala, I feel a responsibility to raise awareness; if not for the entire country, then at least within the areas where I farm.”
He noted that “It’s not about naming the baby chimp, it’s how we all can start contributing to raising awareness around conservation.”
The 2019 Tacugama Census recorded 5,580 Western Chimpanzees in the wild in Sierra Leone. More than half live outside protected areas, leaving them particularly vulnerable to habitat loss.
Despite the ongoing threats to reserved areas, there is progress. Remarkably, 103,000 have already been planted at Tacugama this year. In spite of these strides, Bala urged the government to fully enforce laws to preserve biodiversity.
“When a government demarcates a protected area, it should be a boundary that no one crosses. Unlike here, where people encroach beyond boundaries, you don’t see that in places like China because the laws are strictly enforced,” he explained. “Lawlessness cannot be an excuse to allow your National Park to be destroyed. That is why you have a government to control its citizens.”
Another significant discussion at the event was the establishment of Friends of Tacugama – Sierra Leone, a move Bala and Katta said “is not really about the fundraising, but will also serve as a platform to raise more awareness so Sierra Leoneans know that we should be responsible and support the work at Tacugama and other communities, ” Katta stated.
Bala concluded by reaffirming Tacugama’s commitment to the environment.
“We talk, and we do; you can see it in every aspect of our initiatives, from research and education to community programs and eco-tourism. Tacugama was intended to be a small orphanage, but it has become the number one eco-tourism destination in the country. Many people benefit from this, and we will continue to provide this service to Sierra Leone to contribute to the national GDP.”
