In the early hours of the morning on Monday, August 14th, heavy rains caused a massive landslide in Regent, the town closest to the Tacugama sanctuary. 

The devastating landslide has killed upwards of 300 people and it is reported that more than 600 are still missing or unaccounted for. We were heartbroken to learn that around 40 children from the Tacugama Kids Environmental Education Program in the local schools (TKEEP) were killed. Of those that survived, many are hospitalised, and some have tragically lost their parents and/or their homes.

All of our staff are safe, as are our chimps, however, some of our staff members have tragically lost waves of loved ones in the rubble and continue to struggle with this tragedy. The whole Tacugama community has been deeply affected as we try to offer relief efforts to the victims. 

While we have limited resources available, Tacugama is on the ground with local response teams doing all we can to provide relief efforts to the communities.  So far the team have assisted with providing milk, bread and rations to the victims and school children and met with local community members to organise next steps.  

As bodies are still being pulled from the rubble, weather forecasts call for more torrential rain, and the local environmental authorities warn of another possible landslide, the future here is uncertain and the local community is still at risk. 

This tragic event highlights the vital nature of Tacugama's mission to protect the forests on these hills in the Western Area. Through the process of illegal deforestation, the risks of these events are heightened. We need more support to properly enforce this protection and prevent people from risking their own lives by building on these slopes.

We urgently need your support at this crucial time. Your support through donating and/or sharing our campaign can make a world of difference.