By Emma Black

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with partners, hosted a special screening of the television series “More Life” at the United States Embassy in Freetown to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect Sierra Leone’s national animal, the chimpanzee.

The event, held at the U.S. Embassy, brought together representatives from government ministries, Members of Parliament, the diplomatic corps, non-governmental organizations, conservation advocates, and members of the media.

The More Life series aligns with the Ministry’s July theme, “Environmental Awareness for Eco-Tourism,” under its year-long “Tourism for All” campaign. The film underscores the importance of protecting chimpanzees from poaching, habitat destruction, illegal trafficking, and human encroachment, while also calling for the enforcement of stricter penalties against offenders.

During the event, speakers drew attention to the numerous challenges facing Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. These include increasing deforestation, illegal mining activities, bushmeat hunting, land grabbing, and the growing impact of climate change, all of which threaten chimpanzee habitats. The sanctuary also faces financial constraints in sustaining rescue operations, veterinary care, rehabilitation programs, and community outreach initiatives.

The United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Bryan Hunt, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in protecting wildlife. He noted that safeguarding chimpanzees is not only an environmental issue but also a moral and global obligation, urging stronger partnerships between government, communities, and international stakeholders.

Founder of Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Bala Amarasekaran, passionately outlined the sanctuary’s ongoing efforts to rescue orphaned and trafficked chimpanzees, rehabilitate them, and advocate for forest conservation. He stressed that without urgent action to address habitat destruction and illegal wildlife trade, the survival of chimpanzees in Sierra Leone remains at serious risk.

Also speaking at the event, the Ministry’s Communications Officer, Alieu Kondoh, reiterated that wildlife protection particularly of chimpanzees is vital for the growth of eco-tourism and the long-term sustainability of Sierra Leone’s environment. He noted that protecting biodiversity strengthens the country’s tourism appeal and supports livelihoods dependent on the natural ecosystem.

The screening concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session featuring actors from the More Life series and members of the audience. Participants engaged in discussions on conservation strategies, community sensitization, and policy enforcement aimed at strengthening the protection of chimpanzees across the country.

The event served as both a celebration of conservation storytelling and a renewed call to action to confront the pressing challenges threatening Sierra Leone’s wildlife heritage.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 4th March 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)