- Habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade and climate change remain the leading threats to the western chimpanzee population in Sierra Leone.
- Through community livelihood programs including livestock and seed support, conservationists are trying to help reduce dependence on forests and hunting.
- In 2019, Sierra Leone designated the western chimpanzee as the country’s national animal, strengthening public awareness and support for conservation.
- Willie Tucker, camp supervisor of the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, spoke with Mongabay about the sanctuary’s work at the forefront of western chimpanzee conservation, as the facility currently cares for more than 100 western chimpanzees, many of which were rescued from private homes.
In Sierra Leone, the critically endangered western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) faces growing threats from habitat loss, deforestation, illegal wildlife trade and expanding human activity. For the past 30 years, Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary has worked to rescue, rehabilitate and protect chimpanzees affected by these challenges.
Few people have witnessed the sanctuary’s journey as closely as Willie Tucker, the conservancy’s camp supervisor, popularly known as “Pa Willie.” His conservation career began in 1990 when he studied wildlife management in Tanzania before joining Sierra Leone’s Wildlife Division. It was there that he met Bala Amarasekaran, Tacugama’s founder, who was caring for rescued chimpanzees and seeking to establish a rehabilitation center.
Pa Willie was among the small team that helped turn that vision into reality. After identifying a suitable forest reserve outside Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, and securing support from the European Union, Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary officially opened in October 1995.
Today, as camp supervisor, Pa Willie remains a central figure in the sanctuary’s work. Over the years, he has helped rescue and care for hundreds of chimpanzees while witnessing the growing threats facing the species. His story reflects both a lifelong commitment to conservation and the remarkable growth of Sierra Leone’s leading chimpanzee sanctuary.
Mongabay spoke with Pa Willie in June about his conservation journey, the early days of Tacugama and the challenges facing western chimpanzees in Sierra Leone. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Mongabay: Can you tell us how your interest in wildlife began and what has kept you committed to conservation for so many years?
Willie Tucker: My interest in wildlife started when I was young. I had a dog and a cat at home, and taking care of them helped me develop a love for animals. Later, I received a scholarship to study wildlife management in Tanzania, and after returning to Sierra Leone, I joined the Wildlife Department and eventually became involved in establishing Tacugama. I have remained here because I genuinely love this work. My passion for wildlife, especially chimpanzees, has kept me going for all these years. I also have a strong interest in birds and enjoy studying the many species found around the sanctuary. Learning about wildlife and the forest continues to inspire me every day and has strengthened my connection to nature.
Mongabay: How did you acquire the nickname ‘Pa Willie’?
Willie Tucker: The nickname came from my age and the many years I have spent working at Tacugama. I am now over 60 years old, and in our culture, people often refer to older men as ‘Pa’ as a sign of respect. Over time, staff members, visitors and people who came to the sanctuary started calling me ‘Pa Willie,’ and the name simply stayed with me.
Mongabay: Looking at the dramatic decline in western chimpanzee populations in Sierra Leone over the past few decades, what do you believe have been the biggest drivers of this decline, and how have those threats evolved over time?
Pa Willie: The biggest threat to chimpanzees in Sierra Leone has been habitat destruction. The forests where they live have been cleared for farming, housing and other human activities. As more forests disappear, chimpanzees lose the places they depend on for food, shelter and survival. Another major problem is the illegal pet trade. Even after 30 years, we still rescue young chimpanzees from private homes and other places where they are being kept illegally. What many people do not realize is that when a baby chimpanzee is taken from the wild, its mother is often killed trying to protect it, and sometimes other members of the group are killed as well. Climate change is also becoming a concern because it affects forests and food availability. Unless these issues are addressed, chimpanzee populations in Sierra Leone will continue to face serious pressure.
Mongabay: What community-based initiatives have proven most effective in encouraging local support for chimpanzee conservation?
Willie Tucker: One of the things we do through our outreach programs is support communities with alternative ways of earning a living so that they do not have to depend heavily on forest resources or hunting wildlife. In some communities, we provide livestock such as goats and chickens to help families improve their livelihoods. We also support farming activities by providing seeds, including rice and groundnuts, so that people can increase food production and generate income from agriculture.
These programs are designed to give communities practical alternatives while reducing pressure on wildlife and forests. When people have other sources of income and food, they are less likely to rely on activities that can harm chimpanzees and other wildlife. Some of the areas where these alternative livelihood programs have been implemented include communities around Tiwai Island [a wildlife sanctuary in Southern province] and Outamba-Kilimi National Park [northwestern Sierra Leone]. These are important conservation areas where people live close to wildlife habitats.
Through these efforts, we try to show that conservation and community development can go hand in hand. By supporting local livelihoods, we can help protect wildlife while also improving the well-being of the people who share the landscape with these animals.
Mongabay: The designation of the western chimpanzee as Sierra Leone’s national animal was a significant achievement. What practical impact has this recognition had on conservation policies and public awareness in the country?
Willie Tucker: The recognition of the western chimpanzee as Sierra Leone’s national animal has helped increase public awareness and respect for the species. More people now see chimpanzees as part of the country’s identity and understand the importance of protecting them and their habitats. It has also encouraged greater public interest in conservation and helped attract visitors who want to learn more about chimpanzees and the challenges they face. While there is still more work to do, this recognition has strengthened support for conservation efforts across the country.
Mongabay: Can you give a brief overview of the status of chimpanzees in Sierra Leone and the threats they face in the wild?
Willie Tucker: Chimpanzees in Sierra Leone continue to face a number of threats, particularly habitat loss, hunting and the illegal wildlife trade. At Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, we currently care for about 123 chimpanzees. Around 95% of these chimpanzees were rescued from private homes or other situations where they were being kept illegally. The remaining 5% were born at the sanctuary to chimpanzees already under our care.
The number of chimpanzees at the sanctuary reflects the scale of the problem. Even today, we continue to receive reports of chimpanzees being kept by individuals in different parts of the country. Whenever we receive reliable information about a chimpanzee being held illegally, we have a responsibility to investigate and, where necessary, rescue the animal and bring it to the sanctuary.
Whether the chimpanzee is located near Freetown or in a remote district, our goal is always the same: to ensure that it receives proper care and protection. While progress has been made in raising awareness, the continued arrival of rescued chimpanzees shows that significant challenges still remain for chimpanzee conservation in Sierra Leone.
Mongabay: Receiving the Disney Conservation Hero Award in 2009 was a major recognition of your decades of dedication to chimpanzee conservation. Looking back on your journey, what did that award mean to you personally, how did it shape your commitment to protecting wildlife and what do you hope it says about the importance of conservation efforts in Sierra Leone for future generations?
Willie Tucker: That was a very proud moment for me. I never did this work for recognition, but the award showed that the conservation work being done at Tacugama was being noticed beyond Sierra Leone. I saw it as recognition for everyone who had worked hard to protect chimpanzees over the years. It motivated me to continue and reminded me that every rescued chimpanzee matters. I hope it sends a message that conservation is important and that anyone can make a difference. My hope is that more young Sierra Leoneans will become interested in protecting our wildlife and forests for future generations.
Mongabay: As camp supervisor, you are responsible not only for the welfare of the chimpanzees but also for guiding and mentoring the staff who care for them. What has that leadership role taught you over the years, and what values do you try to pass on to the next generation of caregivers and conservationists at Tacugama?
Willie Tucker: Being a camp supervisor has taught me that working with wildlife is not something you can do alone. It requires teamwork, patience and commitment. Over the years, I have worked with many staff members, some of whom came with little experience but later became skilled caregivers and conservationists.
The main values I try to pass on are patience, respect for wildlife and dedication to the work. Chimpanzees are living beings with their own personalities and emotions, so they must be treated with care and understanding. I always encourage younger staff to learn from the animals, work hard and never stop improving themselves. Conservation is not just a job. It is a responsibility.
Mongabay: After spending more than three decades at Tacugama and helping train many staff members, what lessons about leadership, teamwork and caring for wildlife do you hope those who work under your supervision will carry forward in the future?
Willie Tucker: One lesson I hope people carry with them is that conservation succeeds when people work together. No single person can protect wildlife alone. It takes a team that is willing to support one another and share the same goal. I also want them to understand the importance of responsibility. The animals depend on us every day for their care and protection. Whether you are feeding chimpanzees, cleaning enclosures or monitoring their health, every task matters. Most importantly, I want the younger generation to develop a genuine love for nature. Skills can be learned, but passion comes from within. If they truly care about wildlife and remain committed to protecting it, they will continue the work long after people like me are gone.
Mongabay: Is there anything you would want to add that I did not ask about?
Willie Tucker: I would like people to know that chimpanzees are very intelligent animals and they deserve our respect and protection. Many of the chimpanzees we rescue have suffered because of human activities, whether through hunting, habitat destruction or the illegal pet trade. We all have a role to play in protecting them. I also want to encourage young people to take an interest in conservation because they are the future. What we do today will determine whether future generations will still have the opportunity to see chimpanzees in Sierra Leone. Conservation is not only the responsibility of organizations like Tacugama; it is the responsibility of everyone.
Banner image: A western chimpanzee at Tacugama. Image courtesy of Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Cite this article
Patricia Sia Ngevao (2026). Conserving Sierra Leone’s western chimpanzees: Interview with Tacugama’s Willie Tucker. Mongabay Conservation news. DOI: https://doi.org/10.66709/news-323105Credits
