Conserving Sierra Leone’s western chimpanzees: Interview with Tacugama’s Willie Tucker

Sierra Leone is grappling with the severe decline of its western chimpanzee population due to habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, and human encroachment. The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary has been at the forefront of efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect these critically endangered chimps for over three decades. Willie Tucker, a key figure at the sanctuary, shares insights into their ongoing struggle and the broader implications for biodiversity conservation in West Africa. The sanctuary's work is crucial not just for the chimpanzees but for maintaining the ecological balance and raising awareness about the threats facing these intelligent primates.