The sanctuary was set up in 1995, and is committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned and abandoned chimpanzees. High in the hills of the Western Forest, the chimps enjoy a semi-wild life within the 100 acre reserve.
The overall aim of the programme is to provide a safe home and care for orphaned chimpanzees, stop the cruel and wasteful trade and work towards protecting and conserving the specie in the wild.
Specific Objectives of the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
– To encourage the implementation of existing international and national wildlife laws especially those provisions contained in the Convention of the International Trade in Endangered Species (C.I.T.E.S.), which protects endangered species.
– To encourage effective local law enforcement agencies to take positive action against the trading of chimpanzees and other endangered species.
– To integrate orphaned chimpanzees into social groups with a view to gradually rehabilitating them into a semi-wild environment.
– To provide an educational, research and leisure facility to increase public awareness on the plight of Sierra Leones chimpanzee population by attracting visitors from all walks of life.
– To provide a relaxing and attractive environment which can be sustained through entry charges and voluntary contributions and to promote eco-tourism in Sierra Leone.
– Pursuing towards reintroduction of wild-born rehabilitated chimpanzees into protected habitats.