The Cross River Gorilla, with fewer than 300 individuals estimated to exist in the wild, is the most endangered of the gorilla subspecies, and is listed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered.
Endangered species
Cross River Gorilla (CR)
Habitat
Rainforest
Lebialem Highlands, Tofala-Mone Corridor, Cameroon
Size of area
68,000 ha
Carbon
? mT
Partner
Environment and Rural Development Foundation
The Problem
An ice age refuge, the rainforests of South West Cameroon are some of the oldest forests and support the richest flora and fauna in continental tropical Africa, with high levels of endemism, making them one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots. Most of this unique forest is community land with no formal protected status.
Our project focuses on addressing the primary threats to biodiversity in this region: habitat loss and over-exploitation. The destructive practices of illegal logging and uncontrolled farming, including slash and burn techniques, are rapidly eroding the habitat of Africa’s critically endangered Cross River gorilla. This subspecies, with a population of only 250-300 individuals scattered across 12-14 forest locations, is just one of many species on the brink of extinction. Other threatened animals include the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, Drill, Preuss’s Monkey, African Forest Elephant, pangolins, and various endangered bird species. Additionally, these animals face the additional pressure of being hunted for human consumption.
What we do
Anti-poaching, protected area development, corridors, conservation, research, conservation education.
Our project focuses on establishing new great ape reserves and empowering local communities and protecting biodiversity through sustainable practices. We assist communities in developing Community Forest Management Plans, encouraging the preservation of biodiversity while realizing the economic potential of the forests in a non-destructive way.
To enhance conservation efforts, we provide training to community rangers in advanced biomonitoring techniques, trail camera usage, survey methods, and data reporting. These rangers will conduct patrols to address threats to the Cross River gorilla, conduct presence/absence surveys, and monitor nest counts.
By increasing patrols and monitoring, we aim to detect and deter illegal activities such as logging, encroachment, poaching, and bushmeat trade. This comprehensive approach will have a positive impact on the population of Cross River gorillas and other wildlife in our project areas.
Sustainable Development Goals
Our project contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals.
