By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone, 31 August 2026 — The National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), in collaboration with the Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), has launched a high-level joint patrol at the Mamunta Mayossoh Wildlife Sanctuary in Tonkolili District, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s commitment to protecting its natural heritage.
The operation, which penetrated deep into the sanctuary’s interior, forms part of NPAA’s expanded enforcement drive aimed at curbing illegal activities such as logging, farming, and poaching within protected areas.
Situated at the geographic centre of Sierra Leone, Mamunta Mayossoh is the country’s first formally managed wildlife sanctuary. Its unique landscape of seasonally flooded grasslands, lakes, wetlands, and swamps provides refuge for rare species including the vulnerable Dwarf Crocodile, the elusive Pygmy Hippopotamus, and the endangered Western Chimpanzee. The sanctuary also hosts eight primate species and a rich diversity of birdlife, making it a vital hub for eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation.
NPAA Communications and Outreach Officer Cornelius Eku Randall described the patrol as a clear signal of the Authority’s strengthened institutional development and rebranding. “This operation communicates unequivocally that illegal activities within protected areas will not be tolerated,” he said, stressing that the initiative also seeks to preserve ecological integrity while promoting sustainable eco-tourism that benefits local communities.
The NPAA, supported by its security partners, has pledged to sustain routine patrols and enforce decisive measures against threats to Sierra Leone’s protected environments. Officials say the intensified operations will help safeguard biodiversity, strengthen conservation management, and ensure that protected areas continue to serve both ecological and community interests.