View source for Western Area Peninsula National Park

[[West Africa]] > [[Sierra Leone]] > [[Western Area Peninsula National Park]]

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__TOC__
= Summary =

<div style='float: right'>{{#display_map: height=190px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers=OpenStreetMap,OpenTopoMap|8.32, -13.15~[[Western Area Peninsula National Park]]~''Pan troglodytes verus''}}</div>
* Western chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes verus'') are present in Western Area Peninsula National Park.
* It has been estimated that 36 individuals occur in the site in 2019.
* The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.
* This site has a total size of 183.37 km².
* Key threats to chimpanzees include logging, farming, hunting, and human encroachment.
* Awareness raising, tree planting, law enforcement activities,  and support for alternative livelihoods are the main conservation interventions that have been implemented at the site.


= Site characteristics =

The Western Area Peninsula National Park (WAPNP) is located in the Freetown peninsula, west of Sierra Leone (BirdLife International 2019). The site covers a narrow chain of hills, reaching up to 900 m, and holds the western-most remnant of Upper Guinea forest ecosystem (Brncic et al. 2010). With 314 bird species, including five species of global conservation concern (e.g., white-necked rockfowl ''Picathartes gymnocephalus''), WAPNP was designated as an Important Bird Area ([http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/western-area-peninsula-non-hunting-forest-reserve-iba-sierra-leone IBA]) in 2001 (BirdLife International 2019). The site is also of high importance to the surrounding populations, as it protects the watershed of two dams, which supply water to Freetown and nearby settlements (Brncic et al. 2010; EPA 2017). In addition to the western chimpanzee, other vulnerable species inhabiting the area include Diana monkey (''Cercopithecus diana''), Jentink’s duiker (''Cephalopus jentinki''), and the endemic frog ''Cardioglossa aureole'' (BirdLife International 2019).

'''Table 1. Basic site information for Western Area Peninsula National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Site_characteristics-table"
|Species
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|-
|Area
|183.37 km²
|-
|Coordinates
|Lat: 8.32 , Lon:  -13.15
|-
|Type of site
|Protected area (National Park)
|-
|Habitat types
|Subtropical/tropical dry forest
|-
|Type of governance
|Governance by government
|}

[[Types of sites]] [[Governance types]] [[Habitat types]] 

= Ape status =

Based on a line transect survey in 2010, there may be three chimpanzee communities in the area (Brncic et al. 2010). The size of the population was estimated at 55 individuals, which is the most recent population estimate currently available (Brncic et al. 2010).

'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Western Area Peninsula National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Ape_status-table"
!Species
!Year
!Occurrence
!Encounter or vistation rate (nests/km; ind/day)
!Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)
!Abundance estimate (95% CI)
!Survey area
!Sampling method
!Analytical framework
!Source
!Comments
!A.P.E.S. database ID
|-
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|2010
|
|1.08 (0.30-3.90)
|0.36 (0.10-1.32)
|55 (15-209)
|Western Area Peninsular Forest Reserve (158 km²)
|Line transects & recces
|
|Brncic et al. 2010
|Total survey effort: 26.97 km
|
|-
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|2019
|
|
|
|36.0
|100 acres and buffer zone along TCS axis
|Camera trap, Reconnaissance walk
|Distance sampling
|TCS unpublished data 2019, Lahai Keifala pers. comm. 2025
|Not a systematic survey
|
|}

[[Sampling methods]] [[Analytical frameworks]] 

= Threats =

The park is highly accessible to humans through trails (Brncic et al. 2010). Hunting is a key threat in the area, with several hunting camps and hunting signs present at the site (Brncic et al. 2010). In addition, multiple large-scale marijuana farms have been discovered in the park, as well as signs of logging and charcoal production (Brncic et al. 2010). Due to the urban expansion and close proximity to the capital, Freetown, WAPNP faces a lot of pressure, as the demands for fuelwood, farmland, and bushmeat continue to rise (Brncic et al. 2010, BirdLife International 2017). In 2017, following heavy rainfall, a mudslide in the area resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people; the mudslide has been linked to extensive deforestation and erosion of the soil (BirdLife International 2017).

'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Western Area Peninsula National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Threats-table"
!Category
!Specific threats
!Threat level
!Description
!Year of threat
|-
|1 Residential & commercial development
|1.1 Residential areas
|Present (unknown severity)
|Human encroachment and housing development within the park (BirdLife International 2017). Urban encrochment is ongoing (Lahai Keifala pers. comm. 2025).
|2017-Ongoing (2025)
|-
|2 Agriculture & aquaculture
|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Several marijuana farms were found during a survey in 2010 (Brncic et al. 2010). Local communities also seek land for farming (BirdLife International 2017).
|2010-Ongoing (2017)
|-
|3 Energy production & mining
|3.2 Mining & quarrying
|Present (unknown severity)
|Stone mining (BirdLife International 2017).
|Ongoing (2017)
|-
|4 Transportation & service corridors
|4.1 Roads & railroads
|Present (unknown severity)
|The presence of trails allows for accessibility to humans (Brncic et al. 2010).
|Ongoing (2010)
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Hunting camps, shotgun shells, and snares were frequently encountered during a survey (Brncic et al. 2010).
|Ongoing (2010)
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Tree cuts were frequently found within the park during a survey (Brncic et al. 2010). Deforestation is ongoing in 2025 (Lahai Keifala pers. comm. 2025).
|2010-Ongoing (2025)
|-
|7 Natural system modifications
|7.2 Dams & water management/use
|Present (unknown severity)
|Two dams are present in the site (Guma Valley Dam and Congo Dam) (Brncic et al. 2010).
|Ongoing (2010)
|}

[[Threats]] 

= Conservation activities =

Sierra Leone’s Forestry Division and the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone are the main organizations responsible for the management of the site and the implementation of conservation activities. The EU funded an intervention to decelerate deforestation at the site, which was implemented by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and the Environmental Forum for Action (ENFORAC) from 2009-2014 (EPA 2017). This intervention focused on awareness raising, especially among potential encroachers, and proving support to local people with alternative livelihood options (Hempel 2013).

In 1995, the [https://www.tacugama.com Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary] was established. The sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates and cares for orphaned chimpanzees. Since 2011, Tacugama works with rural communities as part of its Tacugama Community Outreach Programme to promote the sustainable use of natural resources, improve agricultural practices (seed distribution), promote alternative livelihoods (e.g., fruit tree planting, livestock farms, community woodlots), improve health and hygiene in rural communities to decrease the risk of disease transmission, and environmental education activities for rural communities and children to increase awareness of the need to protect chimpanzees (Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary 2020). Tacugama also runs an eco-lodge with the proceeds going to its conservation programmes (Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary 2020).

'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Western Area Peninsula National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Conservation_activities-table"
!Category
!Specific activity
!Description
!Implementing organization(s)
!Year of activity
|-
|1 Development impact mitigation
|1.4 Farm more intensively and effectively in selected areas and spare more natural land
|Tacugama Community Outreach Programme promotes improved agricultural practices and distributes seeds (Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary 2020).
|
|2011-Ongoing (2020)
|-
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|2.13 Provide sustainable alternative livelihoods; establish fish- or domestic meat farms
|Tacugama Community Outreach Programme promotes alternative livelihoods, e.g., fruit tree planting, livestock farms, community woodlots (Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary 2020).
|
|2011-Ongoing (2020)
|-
|3 Species health
|3.13 Implement a health programme for local communities
|Tacugama Community Outreach Programme constructs latrines in rural communities to improve hygiene and minimize bush defecation (Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary 2020).
|
|2011-Ongoing (2020)
|-
|4 Education & awareness
|4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use
|Awareness raising to create an understanding of the importance of conservation, forest ecosystem and function, and chimpanzees (Hempel 2013, Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary 2020, Lahai Keifala pers. comm. 2025).
|
|2009-Ongoing (2025)
|-
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.2 Legally protect ape habitat
|The site was designated a National Park in 2012 (EPA 2017).
|
|2012-Ongoing (2026)
|-
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.6 Habitat restoration
|Sierra Leone Launches Tree Planting Initiative in Western Area Peninsula National Park with GEF Support (Lahai Keifala pers. comm. 2025).
|Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
|2024
|-
|6 Species management
|6.9 Rehabilitate injured/orphaned apes
|Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary takes care of and rehabilitates orphaned chimpanzees (Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary 2020).
|
|1995-Ongoing (2020)
|-
|7 Economic & other incentives
|7.2 Provide non-monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., better education, infrastructure development)
|Tacugama Community Outreach Programme provides infrastructure as part of its alternative livelihoods programme and supports communities in establishing sustainable sources of income (Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary 2020).
|
|2011-Ongoing (2020)
|-
|8 Permanent presence
|8.2 Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site
|Small-scale community-based tourism was promoted between 2009-2014 (Hempel 2013), Tacugama runs an eco-lodge (Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary 2020).
|
|Ongoing (2009)
|-
|8 Permanent presence
|8.3 Permanent presence of staff/manager
|Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary has a permanent presence of staff (Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary 2020).
|
|1995-Ongoing (2020)
|-
|5 Protection & restoration
|Other
|Authorities have committed to demolishing illegal structures and prosecuting violators to protect the park's integrity (Lahai Keifala pers. comm. 2025).
|Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, National Protected Area Authority
|2025
|}

[[Conservation activities]] 

= Challenges =



'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Western Area Peninsula National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Challenges-table"
!Challenges
!Specific challenges
!Source
!Year(s)
|-
|1 Site management
|1.3 Corruption
|Lahai Keifala pers. comm. 2025
|2024
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
|Lahai Keifala pers. comm. 2025
|2024
|-
|
|Other (Urbanization and poor planning)
|Lahai Keifala pers. comm. 2025
|2024
|}

[[Challenges]] 

= Enablers =



'''Table 6. Enablers reported for Western Area Peninsula National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="enabler-table"
!Enablers
!Specific enablers
!Source
!Year(s)
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.6 External partnerships that add expertise or resources
|Lahai Keifala pers. comm. 2025
|2025
|-
|3 Engaged community
|3.6 Local community engagement and support
|Lahai Keifala pers. comm. 2025
|2023
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4.2 Strong government support
|Lahai Keifala pers. comm. 2025
|2024
|-
|1 Site management
|
|
|
|-
|5 Ecological context
|
|
|
|-
|6 Safety and stability
|
|
|
|}

[[Enablers]] 

= Research activities =

Since 2012, Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is conducting chimpanzee monitoring programmes across Sierra Leone. The sanctuary is also implementing annual biodiversity surveys using camera traps in the Western Area Peninsula National Park (Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary 2020).


= Documented behaviours =



'''Table 7. Behaviours documented for Western Area Peninsula National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviours-table"
!Category
!Behavior
!Observation type
!Prevalence
!Observation dates
!Source
!Habituation
!Species
!Comment
|-
|
|Not reported
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}

[[Behaviours]] 

= Exposure to climate change impacts =

As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. subm. extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.

The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (see Kiribou et al. subm. for details).

'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Western Area Peninsula National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="clima-table"
!Value
!1981-2010
!2021-2050, RCP 2.6
!2021-2050, RCP 6.0
!2071-2099, RCP 2.6
!2071-2099, RCP 6.0
|-
|Mean temperature [C]
|25.6
|26.6
|26.6
|26.7
|27.7
|-
|Annual precipitation [mm]
|3043
|2911
|3014
|2980
|2977
|-
|Max no. consecutive dry days (per year)
|56
|50.3
|52.8
|52.8
|53.6
|-
|No. days with heavy precipitation (per year)
|5.8
|6.1
|6.4
|7.3
|6.9
|}


'''Table 9. Projected exposure of apes to extreme climate impact events in Western Area Peninsula National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="clima2-table"
!Type
!No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 2.6)
!% of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 2.6)
!No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 6.0)
!% of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 6.0)
!No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 2.6)
!% of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 2.6)
!No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)
!% of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)
|-
|Crop failure
|3
|0.02
|4
|0.02
|4
|0.02
|5.5
|0.02
|-
|Drought
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|-
|Heatwave
|1
|100
|2
|100
|3
|100
|6
|100
|-
|River flood
|0
|0
|1
|0.42
|1.5
|0.83
|0.75
|0.62
|-
|Tropical cyclone
|0
|0
|1
|5.46
|0.5
|4.86
|0
|0
|-
|Wildfire
|30
|0.14
|29.5
|0.13
|29
|0.23
|29
|0.15
|}


<div><ul><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:PrecipAnomaly_Western Area Peninsula Forest.png| 450px | thumb| none | Precipitation anomaly in Western Area Peninsula National Park]] </li><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:TempAnomaly_Western Area Peninsula Forest.png | 450px | thumb| none | Temperature anomaly in Western Area Peninsula National Park]] </li></ul></div>

= External links =



= References =

BirdLife International. 2017. [https://www.birdlife.org/africa/news/did-sierra-leones-mudslide-uncover-forgotten-conservation-promise  www.birdlife.org]

BirdLife International. 2019. Important Bird Areas factsheet: Western Area Peninsula Non-hunting Forest Reserve. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 17/09/2019.

Brncic, T.M., Amarasekaran,B. & McKenna,A. (2010) Final Report of the Sierra Leone National Chimpanzee Census Project. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Environment Protection Agency (EPA). 2017. Sierra Leone’s Second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2017-2026.

Hempel, H. 2013. Final evaluation report of the Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve protection project. Welthungerhilfe, Bonn.

Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. 2020. Online: [https://www.tacugama.com Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary]



'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2019-09-18

'''Page updated by: '''Lahai Keifala''' Date:''' 2025-04-23