Citizens across Sierra Leone have called on President Julius Maada Bio to preserve the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary and prevent encroachment that could threaten one of the nation’s most treasured conservation sites. The appeal comes following the passing of world-renowned primatologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall.
Jane Goodall, celebrated globally for her groundbreaking studies on chimpanzees, was also a pioneering advocate of eco-tourism and community-based conservation. Her vision has inspired Sierra Leonean conservationist Bala Amarasekaran, who, alongside his wife Sharmila, founded Tacugama Sanctuary in 1995. Today, Tacugama is home to over 100 critically endangered western chimpanzees and is Sierra Leone’s premier eco-tourism destination.
Sierra Leoneans have praised President Bio, First Lady Fatima Bio and citizens for honoring Jane Goodall’s work, emphasizing that protecting Tacugama is vital not only for wildlife but also for national prosperity.
Born in London on April 3, 1934, Jane Goodall dreamed of Africa from a young age. A chance meeting with paleoanthropologist, Louis Leakey, in 1957 launched her extraordinary journey. By 1960, at 26, she arrived at Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park with little more than binoculars and a notebook. Her unorthodox methods transformed science, proving that chimpanzees have complex social structures, distinct personalities and the ability to make and use tools; challenging centuries of assumptions about human uniqueness.
Jane Goodall also recognized that protecting wildlife required empowering human communities. She famously stated, “Poverty alleviation is the key to conservation,” establishing the foundation for programs that integrate sustainable livelihoods with environmental protection.
Inspired by Jane Goodall’s philosophy, Bala Amarasekaran rescued his first chimpanzee in 1993. Encouraged by Jane Goodall to start a sanctuary, Bala Amarasekaran and his wife established Tacugama in the hills above Freetown. The sanctuary now employs over 200 people, supports local farmers with agricultural programs, builds schools and supplies water to surrounding communities. Residents even refer to their contributions as “chimp rice,” linking conservation directly to improved livelihoods.
Tacugama also attracts tourists through eco-lodges and guided treks where visitors can observe chimpanzees in forest enclosures, demonstrating how tourism can support wildlife protection while benefiting local communities.
Jane Goodall returned to Sierra Leone in 2019, receiving the Order of the Rokel and celebrating the western chimpanzee as the country’s national animal. Today, the chimpanzee features on passports, tourism publications and educational curricula, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s commitment to conservation and eco-tourism.
Reflecting on Jane Goodall’s legacy, Bala Amarasekaran said, “Jane inspired me to begin my journey with Tacugama. She was always there for us; a guardian angel in the past, present and future. Now it is our duty to honor her values and protect this sanctuary.”
Tacugama embodies Jane Goodall’s vision of conservation through community engagement, proving that protecting wildlife and supporting human development can go hand in hand. Sierra Leoneans insist that Government support is essential to safeguard this legacy for future generations.
The country mourns the loss of Jane Goodall, while the sanctuary remains a living tribute to her lifelong dedication to chimpanzees, communities and the planet.
