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Approximately 173,095 ha of lands are specifically reserved for wildlife management and
protection. The following areas have been demarcated as Wildlife Protected Areas as defined by
the Wildlife Conservation Act of 1972:
Outamba Kilimi National Park
In 1995, this park was declared as the country’s first national park. It covers an area of 98,420 ha
and consists mainly of savanna and closed forests. Its threatened species include elephants,
chimpanzees, and the bongo. The area is expected to contain some of the highest concentrations
of chimpanzees within Sierra Leone.
Tiwai Islands
This area is mainly a game sanctuary (12,000 ha) in a closed high forest zone. Rare animals
include Pygmy hippos and banded duikers. The Tiwai Island Game Reserve was gazetted as a
result of collaboration between two U.S.
universities (University of Miami and
Hunter College) and Njala University
College of Sierra Leone. 7
The game sanctuary is managed by a
management committee, represented by
individuals from the two chiefdoms in
which Tiwai Islands are located.
Mamunta Mayoso
This is a proposed game sanctuary
(2,000 ha) of wetland swamp vegetation.
The sanctuary has a rich variety of
birdlife. A visit to this area indicated that
the area continues to receive pressure
from agricultural exploitation as well as
hunting and fishing pressure including
encroachment of the buffer zone.
Western Area Peninsula Forest
This is a protected forest and a non-
hunting reserve and consists mainly of
17,688 ha of closed forest. Among the
rare animals found are Jentinks duikers
and chimpanzees. The management of
this area appears to be losing ground to
incidental development within its
declared boundary as well as increasing
agricultural exploitation, charcoal
7 Bakarr et al., 1999
Top: A boat tour around Tiwai Island reveals a sandy
beach. PHOTO: J. RENEE MORIN
Bottom: The buffer zone around the Mamunta Mayoso
wetlands has recently been subject to a brush fire. PHOTO:
J. RENEE MORIN
SIERRA LEONE BIODIVERSITY AND TROPICAL FOREST ASSESSMENT 12