The eco-lodges and tree-covered footpaths of West Africa's largest chimpanzee refuge, the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone, have been devoid of tourists for more than two months. Its founder, Bala Amarasekaran, is staging a protest against the rampant deforestation plaguing the nation.
While authorities acknowledge that Sierra Leone's rich wildlife is indeed threatened by widespread land seizures and illegal logging, Mr Amarasekaran states they have not yet taken sufficient action to convince him to reopen the sanctuary to visitors.
