By: D Abraham Cooper, Sr.| Grand Gedeh Correspondent
Grand Gedeh County, Liberia |April 10, 2026 | Illegal mining has surged within Sapo National Park just months after an Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) operation cleared the protected area.
Renewed human encroachment now threatens the park’s biodiversity, sparking urgent concerns over the complete absence of Forestry Development Authority (FDA) rangers and security personnel at the site.
Experts warn that the lack of sustained monitoring has left the sanctuary vulnerable to a total resurgence of illicit activity.
Historically as well as notably too, the Sapo National park was established in 1983 as Liberia’s first national park.
The Sapo National Park is a 1,804 km² protected rainforest in Sinoe County, representing the second-largest primary tropical rainforest in West Africa.
Known for its immense biodiversity, it protects critically endangered species, including the pygmy hippopotamus and African forest elephants.
Some key highlights of Sapo National Park’s history include:
Establishment (1983): Formally created by the People’s Redemption Council to protect the Upper Guinean forest ecosystem.
Expansion (2003): Expanded to its current size, strengthening its role as a biodiversity hotspot.
War and Conflict (1989-2003): During Liberia’s civil wars, the park suffered significantly from illegal logging, mining, poaching, and encroachment by militia groups.
Post-War Recovery: Conservation efforts have been ongoing, with local authorities and international partners working to remove illegal settlers and restore the area as a vital wildlife sanctuary.
Current Status: It remains a critical conservation site, recognized by Birdlife International for its 590 bird species and extensive primate populations.
The park is situated in the southeastern region and is managed by the Forestry Development Authority.
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