By Foday S. Bangura Communication Officer.
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS) in collaboration with USAID funded program, West Africa Biodiversity and Low Emissions Development (WABiLED) celebrated World Endangered Species Day on the 17th of May 2024, through the various Radio Stations in Karene District and Kambia District at Radio Cart Barming and Radio Okentu respectively and in Freetown radio stations as well, such as Capital radio, Sky radio and SLBC radio and TV station.
The purpose of celebrating Endangered Species day is to sensitize community members in and around the Outamba Kilimi National Park (OKNP) landscape that continue to face significant threats in the region and to encourage people to take immediate action for the protection of those species. Some of the endangered species include but are certainly not limited to the Western chimpanzee, sooty mangabey, pangolin, forest elephant, pygmy hippopotamus, and leopard. These species risk extinction due to human activities such as logging, mining, hunting for commercial purposes and wildfire. The loss of these species would be a huge loss for biodiversity and for the potential of eco-tourism.
During the radio talk discussions, Mr. Musa Kamara from Kabba Ferry said that the majority of community members understand endangered species through rapid sensitization on radio discussionS. Pa Osman Bangura Chiefdom Stakeholders said it’s good for people to know the importance of the endangered species, both plant and animals. By so doing, community members will minimise the illegal activities in the Conservation areas which can prevent the extinction of the endangered species in the forest. Prevention of Endangered Species can also promote and increase biodiversity in the landscape, which also encourages eco-tourism in the park and provides job opportunities for the people of the country said Mr Bangura.
To address the threat of endangered species in the landscape, TCS/WABILED organised a community awareness campaign every month on the danger of deforestation, hunting, wildlife trafficking and fire management through Tacugama trained community eco-guards. TCS/WABiLED project also provide alternative livelihood support for the communities around the park, so that people can have reliable livelihoods without damaging the environment.
We are inherently connected to our environment, and with healthy ecosystems we can also encourage healthy societies. We need each other to coexist on this planet. Without wildlife and plant species we would not have a healthy forest, without a healthy forest, we would not have clean water and air, access to new medicines, eco-tourism and so much more. We must think of conservation as an investment for a cleaner more prosperous future. We are all connected, and the plight of endangered species lies in our hands. It’s up to us to pave that path to protect these majestic creatures and be custodians of our green Salone.
