By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
FREETOWN, May 19 (232news.com) – A group of Sierra Leonean artists joined Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS) to call for safe environment for all animals especially Chimpanzee which has been declared as the country’s national animal by Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio in 2019, becoming the first country in the world to announce it as a national animal and also the face of tourism announced by the Minister of Tourism Dr Memunatu Pratt.
The weeklong activities which started from the 9th May ended yesterday 15th May 2022 with the following features: School Kids March Starting at Youyi Building and ending at Victoria Park, Football Tournament at SS Camp, Regent. Art/Photography exhibition & competition at Toma on Tuesday. On Wednesday National Story Competition/story telling competition (Both Kids and adult) at the FCC Hall in Freetown and climaxed on Sunday 15th May 2022 with a Gala Night/Fundraising at the Radisson Blu Hotel.
At the Art/Photography exhibition and competition at Toma on Tuesday artists exhibited powerful art work in love of Chimpanzee.
Ranya Singh Nirvan is the only glass painting Artist in Sierra Leone and she has been doing art for over 15 years.
According to her, Chimpanzee as well as other animals are important, therefore it is their responsibility to take care of them and the environment in order to make the world a better place.
She emphasised that if the environment is good for them, they can make it good for the animals as well.
Ranya Singh Nirvan designed three Chimps; one named Cesare.
The world is our place and our planet. It is our responsibility to take care of it: stop deforestation, plant a tree, save water, save energy, protect animals, recycle, say no to plastic and stop pollution. These are some of the things we can do as human to save climate change.
Ranya Singh Nirvan is also looking forward to more exhibitions as that day was their first exhibition on Chimp.
The Chimpanzee National Animal Awareness & Protection Campaign (CNAAPC), according to the Kareen Zabow, Ecotourism Manager, Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary aims to encourage Sierra Leoneans of all ages and backgrounds to fully embrace this pioneer declaration and protect and respect chimpanzees.
She pointed out that the main goal of the campaign is to instil a culture of Sierra Leoneans who are proud of their national animal and understand the urgent need to protect and conserve chimpanzees to raise awareness about chimpanzees and change people’s negative perceptions of them.
