The Reptile and Amphibian Program – Sierra Leone (RAP-SL), established in 2012, focuses on the documentation, protection, and conservation of reptiles and amphibians and their habitats in Sierra Leone.
Initially centered on marine turtles, RAP-SL has expanded its efforts to include other threatened species, such as the African Manatee, which is legally protected but lacks sufficient conservation initiatives in coastal communities.
RAP-SL was established and is led by Edward Aruna, winner of the 2024 Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa. He and his team are working to ensure the protection of marine turtles and manatees at all life stages and raise awareness among local communities and beyond about these species. To do so, they collect reliable data on nesting marine turtles and incidental captures of both species, safeguard their habitats, and implement community development programmes in key fishing communities.
Species Protected: Turtle (Leatherback, Olive Ridley, Green Loggerhead, Hawksbill) | African Manatee
Awareness Raising - Bomotoke meeting
Seh Turtle Island Base
Turte Isl Nyangai
How Tusk works with Our Project Partners
We provide critical funding to enable our project partners to grow and increase their impact on habitat and wildlife, while also enabling, nurturing and supporting collaboration between them, for greater synergy and impact.
We help to increase awareness and wider support for our partners’ efforts, while also sharing important conservation messages, from the vital and varied roles of wildlife rangers, to the benefits of community-driven conservation, both within Africa and internationally.
Reptile and Amphibian Programme has been a Tusk partner since 2025.
This Project Makes a Difference Through…
Marine Conservation
Human Wildlife Co-Existence
Local Population Employed: 69
Area Protected: 500 ha
