This is the highest ranking for species that remain in the wild, and means the Cross River gorilla is … Protection of the remaining habitat of the highly endangered Cross River gorilla is a high priority. Because these gorillas are still hunted for their meat and parts of their habitat are under threat, they are one of Africa's most endangered primate taxa. Cross River Gorillas face hardship after hardship as human interference forever threatens their being. These include the eastern lowland gorilla found in the lowland forests of eastern DR Congo, the western lowland gorilla found in lowland forests of central and western Africa and the cross-river gorilla living along the Cross River along the border of Nigeria and Cameroon. There threats are risk of breeding due to the population isolation. In the Congo basin these threats are particularly due to commercial logging, which accelerates habitat loss and increases access to remote areas, facilitating hunting (Wilkie et al 2000). Characteristics: The rarest species of great ape in the world, Cross River gorillas are similar in appearance to western lowland gorillas, but have a different shaped skull. The Cross River Gorilla is one of the 25 most endangered primates worldwide. Human activities like deforestation also pose threats to these gorillas. The Cross River gorilla is classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, 2016), appearing on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Cross River Gorilla is in danger of extinction because of it's predators that are humans because they hunt them for their skin. The African Conservation Foundation (ACF) and the Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF) have been at the forefront of conservation in Cameroon since 2004. Threats, there were so many threats to the cross river gorilla. Both the western lowland gorilla and the Cross River gorilla are threatened by bushmeat hunting and habitat loss. Leopards rarely prey on adult male gorillas, but they do it specifically of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Where they live: Nigeria and Cameroon. The Cross River Gorilla Campaign is a collaborative effort to raise awareness and funds for the conservation of the Cross River gorilla, Africa’s most endangered great ape. Additional info: Cross River gorillas were thought to be extinct following the 1960s civil war in Nigeria. This sanctuary and the surrounding Afi River Forest Reserve constitute one of the largest forest blocks left in Cross-River State, outside of the national park. Protecting the habitat of the Cross River gorilla. THREATS . Cross River gorillas may not be specifically targeted by hunters, but the widespread use of wire snares set to trap small mammals, represents a threat to their survival. The 250 – 300 Cross River gorillas that are left in the wild, live in nine separated ranges in the mountain-like area upstream of the Cross River. Other threats to Cross River gorillas include animal traffickers and Ebola. threats faced by the Cross River gorilla over the course of the next five years. The group of Cross River gorillas spotted in the Mbe mountains of Nigeria. It's believed that there are just around 300 individual Cross River gorillas remaining in the wild — which is why it's known as one of the world's rarest great ape subspecies. It is estimated that there is 400 left in the wild and couple in the zoo's. For such a small fragmented population, habitat loss and fragmentation are further reducing connectivity between sites, increasing their isolation from one another and reducing opportunities for gene flow. Regarding behavior and aggression, Cross River Gorillas have been found to throw long grass, sticks and mud to scare off humans. The Cross River gorillas are the most endangered great apes in Africa. This highest threat level means that Cross River gorilla joins all gorilla subspecies in facing an … Bordered by the Douguetsi River, the Douguetsi research camp is located approximately 6 km from Doussala village along the right side of the Moukalaba River. After reviewing data on the status of the Cross River gorillas, our chapter ends by discussing some options for improving their prospects for survival. THE PROBLEM. 23.01 km² to the northeast of the MDNP. ... said poverty a lack of awareness had heightened the threats to several engaged species in a region rich in biodiversity. Other threats include poaching, disease and lack of management of protected habitat. Understanding the trends in the changing threats across the Cross River gorilla landscape will provide key infor-mation for guiding our collective activities from 2014 to 2019. 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