News: Conservationists race to protect as fewer than 300 Cross River gorillas remain in Nigeria and Cameroon’s remote forests.
About Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli)
- It is a western gorilla subspecies.
- Habitat and Behavior
- It inhabits Nigeria-Cameroon border forests like Cross River National Park, Afi, and Takamanda at 1,500–3,500m elevations.
- Residing in dense rainforests, these gorillas form cohesive groups led by silverbacks, foraging widely for vegetation and building ground or tree nests.
- They minimally impact crops, unlike other wildlife.
- Features
- It is known for brownish-grey fur and red crests, silverbacks lead groups of 2–20.
- It feeds on leaves, nuts, and berries.
- Slow reproduction (one birth every 4–5 years).
- Each infant requires up to four years of maternal care, which limits population growth.
- Lifespan ranges from 35 to 50 years, adding urgency to conservation efforts.
- IUCN Status: Critically endangered
- Threats: The population faces threats from deforestation, poaching, and slow reproduction.
- Major threats include bushmeat hunting, illegal pet trade, habitat loss from logging, and Ebola.
- Conservation efforts: Initiatives by WWF, WCS, and Nigeria’s NCF support protected areas, anti-poaching patrols, and community-based conservation under frameworks like CITES and CMS, addressing human-wildlife conflict and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
