In Sierra Leone, I served as an Assistant Conservation Manager, working closely with both local communities and conservation teams to protect chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), an endangered species facing serious threats. My role included conducting educational outreach, leading field research, and organising trips to observe and better understand chimpanzees in their natural habitat. 

Sierra Leone is home to the critically endangered western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus), one of four subspecies found across Africa, with others residing in West and Central Africa.

The chimpanzees of Sierra Leone inhabit the region’s dense forests and Savannahs, demonstrating complex social behaviours, unique tool use, and sophisticated communication patterns. However, despite their ecological and cultural significance, these wild chimpanzee populations face escalating pressures. Habitat loss, driven by deforestation and agricultural expansion, has forced many chimpanzees into closer proximity to human settlements, leading to conflicts. Additionally, some chimpanzees are captured and sold illegally as pets, a practice that not only removes individuals from the wild but also contributes to the species' decline by disrupting natural social groups and family units.

Conservation organisations in Sierra Leone, such as the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary and international partners, are working to protect chimpanzees through a combination of habitat preservation, anti-poaching patrols, and public education. As part of the outreach team, I worked on educational programs aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict and promoting awareness about the importance of chimpanzees in Sierra Leone's ecosystems. These programs also highlight the legal protections for chimpanzees, discouraging the pet trade and educating local communities on alternatives to unsustainable practices.

Research is essential to these conservation efforts, providing insight into chimpanzee behaviour, habitat use, and stress factors. By better understanding how chimpanzees interact with their changing environment, conservationists can devise strategies that support both chimpanzee populations and human communities, fostering a balanced coexistence.