Saving Sierra Leone's chimps

The Taco Gamma Sanctuary in Freetown, established in 1995, provides a haven for vulnerable primates in Sierra Leone. Despite challenges during the civil war, it remains operational, housing 85 chimps. Efforts are underway to reintroduce some chimps to the wild, though challenges persist due to poaching and illegal pet trade. Captive chimps often become aggressive, posing risks to humans. A recent escape incident highlighted these dangers, prompting educational initiatives and policy changes to discourage keeping chimps as pets and promote coexistence.

What was the primary reason for establishing the Taco Gamma Sanctuary?

• To rescue and rehabilitate vulnerable primates

• To train chimpanzees for entertainment

• To promote tourism in Sierra Leone

• To conduct biomedical research

What has been a significant factor in the decline of the chimpanzee population in Sierra Leone?

• Increased tourism

• Habitat expansion

• Natural disasters

• Poaching and illegal trade

Why is keeping chimpanzees as pets problematic?

• They require a special diet

• They are expensive to maintain

• They are prone to diseases

• They become stronger and more aggressive as they grow

What incident highlighted the dangers of keeping chimpanzees in captivity?

• A chimpanzee learning to mimic human speech

• A group of chimps escaping and causing harm

• A chimpanzee winning a local competition

• A chimpanzee saving a human from danger

What action have authorities taken to address the issue of keeping chimpanzees as pets?

• Building more sanctuaries

• Ordering people to give up pet chimpanzees

• Encouraging more people to adopt chimps

• Providing financial incentives for chimp owners