By: Saidu Jalloh
Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has in a press release dated on the 9th of August 2024, on a video circulating on Social Media, condemned the killing of a protected leopard in a trap in Koinadugu District.
The Ministry expressed their disappointment and warned against such acts. “As custodians of Sierra Leone’s rich and diverse biodiversity, the ministry acknowledges the critical role that wildlife plays in our ecosystem and its value as an asset for ecotourism. Our recent efforts to validate the country’s Wildlife Tourism Policy underscore the Government’s unwavering commitment to conservation and wildlife protection,” the ministry said.
The ministry also highlighted that they condemned that heinous act against their exotic wildlife species, and that such actions undermined their conservation efforts and tarnished Sierra Leone’s global reputation.
They further added that the acts of violence threatened the government’s efforts to promote tourism and endangered their ecotourism prospects. They called on every citizen to recognize that tourism impact them all, and that harming protected species and damaging their national parks not only devastated their wildlife but also jeopardized their economy and future. “If we continue down this path, we risk losing our natural heritage, an invaluable resource we must safeguard for future generations,” Ministry of Tourism expressed.
The ministry also appealed to all stakeholders and citizens to join forces in the fight against wildlife crime and promote respect for their environment and its inhabitants, and together they could put an end to the tragic killings and safeguard their invaluable natural resources.
Conclusively, the ministry warned the public to refrain from sharing images of animals abuse, cruelty occurring in other countries as if they took place in Sierra Leone, and that the videos of animals abuse involving a lion and a gorilla did not happen in Sierra Leone.
