The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has expressed profound shock and disappointment following the circulation of a disturbing video on social media showing an individual posing with a dead leopard, which was recently killed in a trap.
This incident marks the second reported leopard fatality in the Koinadugu and Falaba districts.
In a statement released on Friday, the Ministry emphasized the critical role wildlife plays in Sierra Leone’s ecosystem and its value to ecotourism.
“As custodians of Sierra Leone’s rich and diverse biodiversity, we recognize the importance of wildlife as an asset for ecotourism,” the Ministry noted, highlighting its recent efforts to validate the country’s Wildlife Tourism Policy. The Government’s commitment to conservation and wildlife protection remains unwavering.
The Ministry strongly condemned the killing, describing it as a “heinous act against our exotic wildlife species.”
The statement continued, “Such actions undermine our conservation efforts and tarnish Sierra Leone’s global reputation.”
The Ministry also warned that these acts of violence not only threaten the government’s efforts to promote tourism but also endanger the country’s ecotourism prospects.
“Harming protected species and damaging our national parks devastates our wildlife and jeopardizes our economy and future. If we continue down this path, we risk losing our natural heritage, an invaluable resource we must safeguard for future generations,” the Ministry asserted.
The Ministry called on all stakeholders and citizens to join forces in combating wildlife crime and promoting respect for the environment.
“Together, we can put an end to these tragic killings and safeguard our invaluable natural resources,” the Ministry urged.
In addition, the Ministry issued a warning to the public against sharing images of animal cruelty from other countries, falsely claiming they occurred in Sierra Leone.
The Ministry clarified that recent videos involving a lion and a gorilla were not filmed in Sierra Leone.
