There are 147 species of mammals in Sierra Leone, 626 species of birds, 67 species of reptiles, 35 species of amphibians and 99 species of fish.
Mammals include warthogs, brush ear pigs and giant forest pigs. Species of monkey are the Senegal Galago, the Diana monkey, the West African colobus monkey, the red colobus monkey, the anubis baboon and the guinea baboon. Chimpanzees of the West African chimpanzee species form the second largest population of all (after Guinea).
Aardvark and mongoose
Buffalo, roan antelopes, waterbuck, aardvark, white-bellied pangolin and giant pangolin are other species. Sierra Leone’s predators include the leopard and the spotted hyena as well as several mongooses (for example the slender mongoose and the white-tailed mongoose).
The pygmy hippopotamus is only found in a few countries in West Africa. Sierra Leone is one of them. It still occurs particularly in the forests of the Tiwai Island Conservation Area. Eleven species of monkey are also at home here, including chimpanzees. Many species of birds also live here, including eight species of hornbills.
Crocodiles live in the country’s rivers, including the Nile crocodile, armored crocodile, and the stump crocodile. Other reptiles are snakes and lizards.
In the water and in the air
In the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of several species of whales and the African manatee (a manatee) can be found. The green sea turtle (green turtle) also lives here.
The many bird species cannot be listed here, but a few special ones: Cave harrier, green-headed, maiden dove, Schillerglanzstar, white-necked wilted crow.
The giant African swallowtail can also be found among 750 species of butterflies. It has a wingspan of 25 centimeters.
Sierra Leone’s nature
Due to its diverse landscapes – coast, rainforest, savannah, highlands and mountains – the biodiversity in Sierra Leone is particularly great. However, some habitats are seriously threatened. In the rainforest, for example – the habitat of countless plants and animals – trees were and are cut down to sell the wood, but also to gain land for agriculture or livestock farming.
Overfishing is a problem that threatens marine biodiversity. The long civil war (1991-2002) also led to a loss of animal populations because they were hunted as bush meat. There are now protection programs designed to prevent worse things from happening. For more articles on Sierra Leone and Africa, please visit dentistrymyth.
What is growing in Sierra Leone?
2090 higher plant species have been counted in Sierra Leone. 74 species only grow in Sierra Leone, they are endemic. On the coast, the mangroves dominate the scene. The red mangrove in particular is widespread. In the hot savannah of the north, tall grass grows mainly. There is rainforest in the southeast, for example, but also on the Freetown Peninsula. Oil palms, kapok trees and red ironwood (Lophira alata) are common. As useful plants there are, for example, mango, guava and papaya trees.
Even more natural resources
In addition to diamonds, Sierra Leone is rich in many other mineral resources such as bauxite (which is used to make aluminum), rutile (which is used to make titanium or use it as gemstones) and gold. These raw materials are also exported, i.e. sold abroad. Sierra Leone ranks eleventh among the countries that produce diamonds. The diamond mines are mainly located in the east and southeast of the country. Petroleum was discovered off the coast in 2009.
Agriculture: what is grown?
A large part of the people in Sierra Leone farm a small piece of land. Many keep a few chickens or goats. They then sell their harvest in the market or at a stall on the street. Rice and cassava in particular are grown, but also millet, corn, sweet potatoes and peanuts.
There are plantations for citrus fruits, sugar cane, coffee, cocoa, oil palms and coconuts. Mainly cocoa, coffee and fish are sold abroad. The share of agriculture in the country’s economic power is 60.7 percent.
What else?
The industry only generates 6.5 percent. The industry mainly includes mining, especially diamond mines. There is also a lot of small industry, i.e. rather smaller companies that produce drinks, textiles or shoes or repair ships.
32.9 percent are generated with services. These include transport, energy, tourism and telecommunications (radio, telephone, internet).
