Research & conserv assessment for the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanc in post-conflict Sierra Leone

Aiah Lebbie

The civil conflict in Sierra Leone has resulted in the proliferation of weapons while creating a refugee crisis throughout the country. (Lebbie 1998, 2001; Garnet and Utas 2000). During the rebel insurgency, Tiwai remained inaccessible to researchers, and it is not clear how much damage was cause to the wildlife population, vegetation and infrastructure. This project will combine both ecological and socio-economic analysis to determine the current status of the wildlife population (especially primates and duikers), as well as assess the damage to the infrastructure and feasibility for reconstruction.