( CNN ) -- Isaac Owusu knows the forests of Kakum National Park in Ghana like the back of his hand . The 360-square-kilometer sanctuary is home to hundreds of plant species , as well as endangered animals including , leopards , elephants , hornbills , African grey parrots and many more . But while Owusu now proudly walks through the sanctuary as a tour guide , he gained his knowledge of the reserve a different way : as a poacher . It was 15 years ago that he decided to go from hunter to protector , but says that his decision to change his ways at first endangered his own life . Fellow villagers and other poachers threatened to shoot him , he says , because he `` let them down . '' Now however many more have thanked him for showing that conservation and tourism can provide other ways to make a living from the forest . The national reserve and its tourism industry have created jobs for people from the 52 surrounding villages , which in turn brings more sustainable income to their communities . See also : Ghana : Keeping one of Africa 's stars of democracy shining . Kakum was turned into a forest reserve in 1925 , designated a national park in 1992 and opened to the public two years later . Within 20 years , it has become a must-see tourist spot in the country , attracting an average of 180,000 visitors every year . For tourists the main draw is the so-called canopy walkway . The series of hanging bridges stretches 350 meters long , connecting seven treetops . The swaying walkway -- reaching as high as 40 meters above the ground -- tests one 's nerves , but it does offer a stunning vantage point of the forest 's diverse flora and fauna . Just outside Kakum lies farmland , which can lead to conflicts between villagers and wild animals , particularly elephants that wander beyond the park 's boundaries and raid the crops . Conservation officials have taught farmers in the area to build chili fences , a low-tech method , around their fields to deter crop-raiding elephants . But few farmers adopt the measures , with many saying they face financial constraints and insufficient knowledge to install and maintain the fences . Plus , old habits die hard . Some of the locals also still treat the forest as their hunting grounds as bush meat is a common source of protein in West Africa . See also : Bamboo bikes turn around fortunes for working women in Ghana . Kakum 's challenges echo those of the country . Ghana 's rapidly dwindling rainforests and biodiversity face threats from poaching , as well as illegal logging . Slash-and-burn agriculture is still common in Ghana , as in other parts of Western Africa . Mineral mining , both large and small in scale , also exacts a toll on the rainforests . While Ghana has seen success in reducing elephant poaching and illegal ivory trade , but it still struggles to clamp down on bush-meat hunting . Increased access to forests has helped create an even bigger market that transcends national borders . By one estimate , bush-meat trade in Ghana reaches $ 350 million a year . But for now , Ghana -- like many other countries like in the world , from Kenya to Cambodia -- has turned to converted hunters like Owusu to help conserve its precious wildlife . See also : Ghana : Keeping one of Africa 's stars of democracy shining . See also : Bamboo bikes turn around fortunes for working women in Ghana . Yenni Kwok contributed to this report . CNN 's On the Road series often carries sponsorship originating from the countries we profile . However CNN retains full editorial control over all of its reports . Read the policy .
Kakum National Park in Ghana is a 360-square-kilometer sanctuary for hundreds of plant species and animals . Its canopy walkway is a series of bridges stretching 350 meters long , connecting seven treetops . Local villagers and former poachers encouraged to turn to conservation as alternative livelihoods .