Tiwai Island, Wildlife sanctuary on Moa River island, Sierra Leone
Tiwai Island is a wildlife sanctuary on a Moa River island covering approximately 12 square kilometers and featuring tropical rainforest with over 9,000 plant species. The forest is home to 11 different primate species and sits within the Upper Guinea forest region of West Africa.
The island underwent a shift in ownership during the late 19th century when Queen Nyarroh of the Barri people transferred half of the territory to a Koya Chief. This change in control between local rulers shaped the region's earlier administrative history.
The name Tiwai comes from the Mende language, meaning "big island", reflecting the local linguistic heritage of Sierra Leone's Southern Province.
Access to the island is arranged through Potoru village, where local guides organize boat trips and lead walks through the protected forest. Hiring a guide is essential to find the best spots for wildlife viewing and to navigate safely through the dense vegetation.
The protected area supports one of the last surviving populations of pygmy hippopotamuses, which emerge at night to feed on vegetation in wetland areas. These nocturnal animals are difficult to spot, but their tracks and sounds reveal their presence on the island.
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