Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary
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| Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
| Sanctuaire des singes de Tafi Atome | |
 Mona monkeys in Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary | |
| Location | Tafi Atome, Volta region, Ghana |
| Nearest city | Kpando |
| Established | 1993 |
Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary is a traditional sacred grove conservation established in 1993 under the direction of a Peace Corps volunteer as a community-based ecotourism project. Tafi Atome is the home of mona and patas monkeys.[1][2]
History
For the past two centuries, the monkeys are found living in the tropical forest around the small village of Tafi-Atome and have been sacred because it was believed they were messengers from the gods. In 1996, the village began broader efforts to protect their forest and monkeys, as well as to offer tours for visitors. The sanctuary was created by a coalition of villagers, public institutions and NGO.[clarification needed] As a result of these efforts, the monkey population has increased, and the forest with its many species of birds and butterflies has been preserved.[6]
