Conservationists have just sighted on camera the most endangered gorilla subspecies in the world in the dense Mbe Mountains in Cross River state.
According to reports by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the subspecies of this gorilla are critically endangered and at one point only about 300 were known to be alive within the mountainous area in Nigeria and Cameroon.
Further reports by the Conservationists state that the gorillas tend to avoid humans and their few populations have been the target of hunters in the past.
The Wildlife Conservation Society said it has been working with several communities to ensure the gorillas’ protection and since 2012, no deaths of the subspecies have been recorded or reported in Nigeria.
Gabriel Ocha, head chief of Kanyang, one of the villages near the Mbe Mountains, said the images are proof that his community’s conservation efforts with the WCS are yielding results.
“I am very happy to see these wonderful pictures of the Cross River gorillas with many babies in our forest,” Ocha said in a statement.
Nwada Ugochinyere Onyechere reporting, Obinwannem News
