Archiving Outamba Kilimi National Park Wildlife Biodiversity in Different Local Languages of Sierra Leone

The Outamba Kilimi National Park (OKNP) is characterized as a biodiversity hotspot in Sierra Leone. The identification and translations of names of wildlife species found within the Outamba Kilimi National Park into local tribal dialects/languages reflect a unique traditional, cultural, and social biodiversity conservation approach. This study aims to archive some of Outamba Kilimi National Park wildlife species in eight different local languages spoken in Sierra Leone. The identification of wildlife species across the OKNP was done using “the Kingdom Field Guide to African Mammals Book” for scientific names and tribal/elders for wildlife identification in different local languages using pictorial images of the wildlife in question. Some of the wildlife species encountered include primates, carnivores, and ungulates, and some keystone tree species that are of great conservation value. The study recorded 63 wildlife species found at the Outamba Kilimi National Park from 2014 to 2024. The local languages in which the names of wildlife species are translated include; Krio, Susu, Limba, Temne, Mende, Fulani, Yalunka, and Koranko but Susu is widely spoken across the park landscape. Nonetheless, the OKNP is under conservation threats such as illegal logging of Rose Wood (Pterocarpus erinaceus), illegal hunting of wildlife species, illegal settlement within the park, cattle rearing, farming and illegal dredge mining. This study will serve as a baseline for future studies in wildlife species identification and translation into local languages across Sierra Leone. It is recommended that research be conducted for trees, birds, fishes, and other wildlife species found at the parks.