The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium support the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS) located in Sierra Leone, Africa. This project works to protect western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus), the critically endangered subspecies of chimpanzees. This partnership has allowed TCS to expand their conservation programming on Jaibui Island, in the southern part of Sierra Leone, through the support of eco-guards, field research, community outreach, and youth education programs. Jaibui Island is a critical piece of habitat that connects two other protected areas. By focusing conservation efforts on Jaibui Island, there is a greater chance to turn this section of land into a protected area which will benefit chimpanzees and many other species.
There are many species of animals that inhabit Jaibui Island alongside chimpanzees such as pygmy hippopotamuses, pangolins, birds and a range of small primates. Eco-guards are members of the local community who are trained to monitor the island. They conduct regular patrols of the island and record data for the field research team. They also monitor the island through trail cameras located throughout the island. These cameras not only can be used to identify species in the area but can be used to individually identify chimpanzees who regularly inhabit the area. The information gathered by eco-guards also provides important information about the threats that the animals in this area are facing. Some of the current threats include deforestation and mining.
The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium provide essential equipment and supplies for the eco-guards and field research teams as well as the resources to conduct community workshops to all seven communities that surround Jaibui Island.
Finally, TCS and the Kansas Zoo & Aquarium understand that youth education programs are critical to building a lifelong respect for the natural world. This partnership provides scholarships to students in the surrounding communities of Jaibui Island as well as supports in person education programs using curriculum created by TCS.
This project is led by Linnea Wallace, Animal curator and Jenna Felix, Animal Care manager.
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