Dayo Metzeger, Chief Ranger

1. History of Outamba KilimiNationalParkSierra Leone Dayo Metzeger, Chief Ranger

2. The story of Outamba-Kilimi, Sierra Leone's only national park, is one of exploitation, thwarted plans and struggle.

3. History- early 70s • In the 1960s and '70s, hunters roamed the area capturing animals for exotic pets or medical testing. International organizations tried to stop this trade and financing was provided to encourage conservation. But plans were hindered by the refusal of some villagers living in the area to be resettled. Eventually the financing stopped.

4. GoSL reacts… • The service of Dr Geza Teleki, Anthropologist was hired to conduct a nation-wide wildlife survey especially on chimpanzees. • The purpose was to confirm a proposal by two bushmeat dealers that bushmeat exportations can continue without posing threats to the wildlife. • Survey however unveiled the level of habitat destruction and over exploitation caused by the illicit bushmeat trade.

5. Late 70s • In 1979, a 110,000 Ha observed to be relatively undisturbed was declared a game reserve. • This game reserve and other areas under study that composed packets of important species that needed protection were recommended for a national park. • This idea, welcomed by MAF, was contained in an appeal for support to IUCN & WWF, which process lasted for two years.

6. 1980s (pre-war period) • Final approval came in 1981, marking the birth of a revised and expanded plan to launch the national park project in 1982 • The campaign to protect the area continued, however, and in 1986 Outamba-Kilimi was made a national park. Funding was allocated to develop the region and compensate villagers but in 1991 civil war broke out in Sierra Leone. Again, money was withdrawn and all development plans halted.

8. Post-war period • Post-war, the camp was rebuilt and now includes visitor huts, boats for river tours and a few trails. But Outamba-Kilimi still faces many problems. The ferry that brings people across the river to the park frequently breaks down, meaning a long detour or travelling on motorcycle and dugout canoe. Poaching too - for ivory and meat - is still an issue.

10. Post-war period • Despite these challenges, various organizations have continued to work in the park including a dedicated team of rangers. Several projects currently running in the area are starting to achieve significant results. But Outamba-Kilimi desperately needs funding and support.

11. Visiting the park • Outamba-Kilimi National Park (OKNP) is found in the extreme north, about 296 km north of Freetown. It lies adjacent to the border with the Republic of Guinea, in the Tambaka Chiefdom, Bombali District, Northern province. The two areas, Outamba (74,100 ha) and Kilimi (36,800 ha), that constitute the park are separated by a stretch of land 1000 km 2 in size.

12. Vegetation • The vegetation is characterized by a mosaic of grassland, closed woodland and gallery forest. Whereas, Outamba has a predominance of tall grasses and woodland, and patches of closed canopy forest, Kilimi has more grassland and more open woodland. There are traces of Raffia swamp vegetation and riverine grassland in both areas.

14. Lakes, rivers • Outamba has a perennial lake, Lake Idrissa. The land in general is agriculturally poor. The region is drained by several streams, which flow into large rivers of national importance such as the Mongo and Little Scarcies at Outamba and the Great Scarcies at Kilimi.

16. Access & Facilities • The two areas occur along Sierra Leone’s northern border with the Republic of Guinea. Kamakwie, 15km to the south, is the nearest town. The main highways into the region cross the Little Scarcies river by two old ferries which occasionally break down, halting traffic for days, especially during the rainy season.

18. Access & facilities • The park currently has no electricity or tap water system, but there is a well-organized camp with rudimentary, but decent facilities for visitors, including tented accommodation, cooking facilities and a visitor centre. • Wildlife Conservation Branch staff can organize guided tours, including canoe trips. Trails are marked and labelled and there is one viewing platform. Rebels invaded the park during the civil war and destroyed facilities, but these are being rehabilitated

20. Birds The 1994 IBA survey recorded 158 and 175 species of birds at Outamba and Kilimi respectively; the two areas having 45 and 39 species exclusive of the other respectively. The total number of bird species recorded in the whole park so far is 220 including 11 (40%) of the species considered dependent on the

21. Birds • Guinea-Sudan savanna biome that occur in Sierra Leone (Table 3C) (see Harding and Harding, 1992). OKNP holds four species of global conservation concern, one of which, Pallid Harrier (NT), is a rare migrant. Lake Idrissa and river courses seasonally support a good population of wintering plovers, sandpipers, herons and egrets. Thousands of Cattle Egrets visit the area.

23. Mammals & other fauna • There are nine species of primates in the area, including four threatened species; Western Chimpanzee (En), Red Colobus Monkey (Vu), Black and White Colobus Monkey (NT) and Sooty Mangabey (NT). A small population of Western Elephant (En), occur at Outamba. Other large mammals include Leopard (Vu), Pigmy Hippopotamus (Vu), Water Chevrotain (NT), Maxwell Duiker (NT) and Savanna Buffalo (NT).

25. Ecotourism potential • The main Outamba section consists of rolling hills, grasslands, flood plains, rainforests and rivers, which you explore by canoe and footpath since there are no roads. You can track elephants on their own trails and paddle past hippos (sightings almost guaranteed in the dry season), and no matter where you go you’ll see many of the 260 bird species. • Cosy thatch hutssit right on the riverbank, and someone will cook food if you bring it. Without your own transport you’ll need to hire a motorcycle in Kamakwie, the nearest sizable town, for the 32km trip, as the final stretch of entrance road is too rough for cars.

26. With proper development, Outamba-Kilimi could be a major conservation and tourism destination. It could become an example of the new Sierra Leone - peaceful and flourishing.