Of the most forward thinking primate sanctuaries is Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, located in the outskirts of Freetown, Sierra Leone. Founded in 1995 by Bala Amarasekaran, Tacugama has taken on an impressive multi-tiered approach to safeguarding their own rescued chimpanzees and working to protect the few remaining in the lush Sierra Leonean forests. Tacugama combines field research and forest patrol teams, strong education and outreach programs, onsite eco-lodges and a strong media presence to bring together different stakeholders to build a brighter future for the chimpanzee (which was recently declared Sierra Leone’s National Animal thanks to TCS’s efforts on their behalf).