Three-Month-Old Chimpanzee Rescued From Illegal Sale, Welcomed at Tacugama Sanctuary
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary has received a three-month-old rescued chimpanzee following an intervention that prevented the animal from being illegally sold, sanctuary officials have confirmed.
The infant chimp, now named Stacey, was rescued by farmer and entrepreneur Mustapha Katta, who acted after discovering a woman attempting to sell the animal. Katta purchased the chimpanzee to secure her safety and immediately contacted Tacugama’s founder and conservationist Bala Amarasekaran, who arranged for her transfer to the sanctuary.
A formal naming ceremony was later held at Tacugama, attended by family members, sanctuary staff, and environmental advocates. The name “Stacey” was suggested by six-year-old Mariam Katta.
Speaking at the event, Amarasekaran said the rescue highlights the broader link between wildlife protection and forest conservation. He warned that ongoing environmental degradation poses serious risks to both biodiversity and human livelihoods.
Tacugama, which is marking its 30th anniversarythis year, has grown from a small chimpanzee orphanage into Sierra Leone’s leading eco-tourism and conservation site. However, the sanctuary is facing increasing pressure from illegal logging and land grabbing in the Western Area Peninsula.
According to a recent environmental report, approximately 550 hectares of foresthave been lost in the peninsula within a three-month period, including more than 100 hectares within the Tacugama forest reserve.
“If the forests continue to disappear at this rate, Freetown’s future water supply could be severely affected,” Amarasekaran said.
Katta stressed the responsibility of rural communities and farmers in protecting wildlife, noting that agricultural activities can either threaten or safeguard ecosystems.
“Our actions can destroy nature, but they can also save it. This rescue shows that everyone has a role to play,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Tacugama reports continued conservation gains, including the planting of over 100,000 trees this year and plans to expand Friends of Tacugama – Sierra Leone to strengthen public involvement in environmental protection.
A 2019 census conducted by the sanctuary estimated Sierra Leone’s wild chimpanzee population at 5,580, with many living outside formally protected areas.
The ceremony ended with a guided tour of the sanctuary, highlighting ongoing efforts to rehabilitate and conserve rescued chimpanzees.
“Tacugama began as a small initiative, but it now demonstrates how wildlife conservation can contribute to national development,” Amarasekaran said.
