Where they live: Nigeria and Cameroon. A. © 2020 World Wildlife Fund. Zoologists and researchers are interested in a cross-river gorilla. Instead, researchers have used indirect signs, such as nest counts, and estimated range sizes to determine that there are only about 200 to 300 of these gorillas left in the wild. December 2007 . The Cross River gorilla, a subspecies of the western gorilla, or Gorilla gorilla diehli, classified in 2007 as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, 1 has been the focus of a 100-person initiative mobilizing nine communities in the Mbe Mountains of Nigeria. Because the gorillas are wary of humans and inhabit rugged territory, scientists have been unable to count many of these gorillas directly. Cross River gorillas are the rarest of all great apes and were unknown to scientists until the early 20th century. It was named a new species in 1904 by Paul Matschie, a mammalian taxonomist working at the Humboldt University Zoological Museum in Berlin, but its populations were not systematically surveyed until 1987. FACTS. In Nigeria, Cross River gorillas are known from three areas of Cross River State: Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, the Mbe Mountains and the Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park. Within that protected area, WWF has established ranger posts, provided field and communication equipment for antipoaching staff, and established a system to monitor the gorilla population. (13) Sawyer, S. (n.d). Fruits comprise majority of cross-river gorilla feeds however they opt for other feeds during the low season for the fruits. The North Carolina Zoo's commitment to wildlilfe extends far beyond its gates. The most endangered gorilla subspecies, only around 300 Cross River gorillas are thought to exist, living in an isolated region along the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. Paul Matschie, in 1904, named the cross river gorilla a new species, though it has become increasingly rare. This restricted distribution to highland areas is likely a consequence of human hunting pressure and competition over habitat, which is more intense in lowland areas. There are currently only 200-300 Cross River Gorillas left in the wild, making them the most endangered great ape in Africa. The Cross River gorilla is a subspecies of the western gorilla. About 100 Cross River gorillas have since been recorded in Nigeria's Cross River State and about 200 in Cameroon in a transborder region of … The images of the gorillas are the clearest sign of the species’ gradual resurgence, said Inaoyom Imong, director of WCS Nigeria’s Cross River Gorilla Landscape project. (5 ft 5 in-5 ft 9 in). IUCN RED LIST of Threatened Species. Cross-river gorillas just like other gorilla species are herbivorous and feed on fruits, leaves, fruits, herbs and tree barks. WWF and partners have worked with officials in Nigeria and Cameroon to establish a protected area for the Cross River gorilla that spans the border between the two nations. Cross River gorilla is the most western and northern form of gorilla. 2008. 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 the most endangered of all great ape taxa, and its rare and increasingly fragmented populations continue to be threatened... [details] Repair of the Solar Power System. Following conservation efforts, hunting has declined to a low level, but any amount of gorilla killing will have a significantly impact an already small population. Cross river Gorillas, also known as Gorilla gorilla diehli are subspecies of the western gorilla or Gorilla gorilla. 7 Dunn. Ln: IUCN 2013. WWF® and ©1986 Panda Symbol are owned by WWF. Cross River Gorilla resting in the shade of trees in the hottest time of the day. It is classified as critically endangered and scientists estimate there are less than 250 remaining in the wild. All rights reserved. Status of gorilla (G. gorilla gorilla) populations in Cross River National Park and Mbe Mountain, Cross River National Park (Okwangwo Division) Technical Report no. And other gorilla facts. Newsweek subscription offers > Usually, a single infant is born, and twins are rare. Watch full episodes of RARE: Creatures of the Photo Ark online now. These efforts help to ensure that logging enterprises protect sensitive wildlife corridors and waterways and contribute to the fight against poaching. 1996. Cross River Gorilla is a typical gorilla species of a western gorilla. No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died, Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population, Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the Wild, Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild, Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future, Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened. Make a symbolic gorilla adoption to help save some of the world's most endangered animals from extinction and support WWF's conservation efforts. December 2008 [details] News from Cross River National Park 2007. A flagship species for conservation efforts in the region, the Cross River gorilla Gorilla gorilla diehli is the most threatened ape in Africa. The population risks inbreeding and a loss of genetic diversity because there are so few Cross River gorillas and they live in groups that interact infrequently if at all. "The Cross River Gorillas: A Distinct Subspecies, "Remote Sensing Analysis Reveals Habitat, Dispersal Corridors and Expanded Distribution for the Critically Endangered Cross River, "World's Most Endangered Gorilla Fights Back", "Nigeria Values Safety of Gorillas Over New Superhighway", "Historical sampling reveals dramatic demographic changes in western gorilla populations", "Rare gorillas in Nigeria captured on camera with babies", "Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates 2012– 2014", "Traditional Knowledge Systems and the Conservation of Cross River Gorillas: a Case Study of Bechati, Fossimondi, Besali, Cameroon", "New National Park Protects World's Rarest Gorilla", "A GIS Habitat Map for the Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary, Cameroon", Cross River Gorilla Species Profile from the African Conservation Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cross_River_gorilla&oldid=994624015, IUCN Red List critically endangered species, All Wikipedia articles needing clarification, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from October 2013, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. The Cross River gorilla is restricted to a small area of highland forest on the border of Cameroon and Nigeria. The species was named after a German employee of northwestern Cameroon Company, by Paul Matschic in 1904 … Number remaining: Fewer than 300. This is the highest ranking for species that remain in the wild, and means the Cross River gorilla is … In partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society and the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon, WWF supports research about the ecology, distribution and population biology of these animals. Poaching, disease and habitat destruction remain threats for gorillas, and WWF is working to designate new protected areas where populations can thrive. Cross River gorillas live in a region populated by many humans who have encroached upon the gorilla’s territory—clearing forests for timber and to create fields for agriculture and livestock. 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. The Cross River gorilla is separated by about 300 km from the nearest population of western lowland gorillas. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Scientists have not been able to get an exact figure on the number of gorillas because of their wariness about humans and their habituation in rugged areas. Cross River Gorilla. This page was last edited on 16 December 2020, at 17:58. The cross river gorilla is one among the most critically endangered species in the world which is on the WWF priority species list, with a population of only 200 to 300 left in the wild. Gorilla gorilla diehli. Olejniczak, C. (1996). Version 2013.1. Join us to make change. World Wildlife Fund Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax ID number 52-1693387) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Cross River gorilla is one of the most endangered species on the planet. "The Cross River Gorillas (. In Afi, gorillas travelled longer distances when consuming large amounts of fruit, while at Kagwene, the gorillas travelled shorter distances when fruit was abundant. Indah E.K. Eniang, E., December 2001. Average adult male height: 165–175 cm. IUCN Status: Critically Endangered.. Population: About 200-300 spp in the wild (worldwildlife.com).. Efforts to protect these animals are focused on securing the forests that house them. Average adult female weight: 100 kg (220 lb). Gorillas, the largest living primates, make their homes in central Africa. Arend de Haas - License Information. 19(8), 943-955. The IUCN lists the Cross-River gorilla as “critically endangered,” meaning the species is considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. The Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) lives in five small pockets of habitat in an area on the border of Nigeria and Cameroon. WWF and partners have worked with the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria to create a protected area for the Cross River gorilla that spans the border of these two nations. And they are restricted to the forested hills and mountains of the Cameroon-Nigeria border region. They were first recognized as a different sub-specie in 1904 but it wasn’t until 1987 that more details about them were known. The Cross River gorillas were spotted in the dense Mbe Mountains in Cross River state by a camera set up by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Average adult male weight: 140–200 kg (310 lb-440 lb). Gorilla Journal 23. tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, "Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Cross River Gorilla (, "World's rarest gorilla ready for its close-up", 10.1002/(SICI)1096-8644(1998)26+<207::AID-AJPA18>3.0.CO;2-Y. With a population estimated to be fewer than 300 individuals, the Cross-River gorilla is the most endangered great ape in Africa. Cross River Gorillas eat more liana and tree bark throughout the year, and less fruit during periods of scarcity, than Western Lowland Gorillas. However, the face, hands, and feet have no fur at all. Meet the rare Cross River gorilla and browse photographs by Joel Sartore. The myth of wild Africa: conservation without illusion. “If we don’t get serious about saving these spectacular species, it’s quite likely that many won’t be around in the years to come.”. For the past 10 years, WWF and other non-governmental organizations have worked with logging companies, the Cameroon Ministry of Forest and Wildlife and local communities to foster sustainable management of the gorillas’ forest home. Cross River gorillas are the least well known of all the gorilla subspecies. 25 October 2013, Ferris S., 2005 Chapter 7: Western Gorilla (, March 1957; Critchley, 1968; Harcourt et al., 1989; Oates et al., 1990; JLG, unpublished data, Etiendem D.N., Funwi-Gabga N., Tagg N. Hens L. Indah E.K., 2013. Obudu, Nigeria. They live in mountainous border area between Cameroon and Nigeria at … Bushmeat Trade and Primate Conservation around Cross River National Park. Adams, J. S., and T. O. McShane. Speak up for species and places through WWF's Action Center. The Cross river gorilla (scientific name: Gorilla gorilla diehli) is a subspecies of the western gorilla. University of California Press, Berkeley, California, USA. ●They live at the top of the Cross River, which they are named after●The Cross River Gorilla population is over an area of 3000 sq miles, whichis about twice the size of Rhode Island.●The Cross River Gorilla has been hunted in the past, almost to extinction●The Cross River Gorilla is extremely scared of humans, so sightings arerare●Around 1-3 Cross River Gorillas lost to poachers every year. Update on the Mbeli Bai gorilla study, Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, northern Congo. Cross River gorillas are hard to find in the wild, in part because their population is so small. In fact, the Cross River gorilla was once thought to be extinct in Nigeria, but a small population was rediscovered in the late 1980s, according to WCS. Scientific name: Gorilla gorilla diehli (Matschic 1904). The Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) is a polygamous animalsince the dominant male has the privilege of mating with all sexually mature females in his group. The Cross River gorilla, which lives in the mountainous border area of Nigeria and Cameroon, is Africa’s most threatened ape, with a population estimated at fewer than 300 individuals. Folia Primatol 2013;84:18–31 (DOI:10.1159/000345853), McFarland, K. L. 2007. View our inclusive approach to conservation, What do gorillas eat? The Cross River Gorilla is a subspecies of the Western Gorilla. "Cross River gorillas: A distinct subspecies, 10.1206/0003-0082(2000)3304<0001:TCRGAD>2.0.CO;2. View Original Cross River Gorilla Image View Cross River Gorilla Article. The Cross River gorillas, a western gorilla subspecies, full name Gorilla gorilla diehli, are even more rare than the mountain gorillas—an eastern gorilla subspecies. These gorillas have brownish-grey or black fur. There is very few information about their reproduction, although most experts agree that the gestation period is similar to the other gorillas between 8.5 – 9 months and females breastfeed and take care of their young during their initial years of their life. The hunting and killing of gorillas is illegal in Cameroon and Nigeria, but enforcement of wildlife laws is often lax. Poaching occurs in the forests as well, and the loss of even a few of these gorillas has a detrimental effect on such a small population. 3. The Cross River Gorilla is one of the 25 most endangered primates worldwide. Washington, DC 20037. 1250 24th Street, N.W. Ecology of Cross River gorillas (, Walsh, P.D., Tutin, C.E.G., Oates, J.F., Bailie, J.E.M., Maisels, F., Stokes, E.J., Gatti, S., Bergl, R.A., Sunderland-Groves, J. They were forgotten, then “rediscovered” after scientists had … Cross River gorilla, Limbe Wildlife Centre, Cameroon. They tend to have redder or greyer fur than eastern gorillas. This subspecies of the western gorilla is very similar in appearance to the more numerous western lowland gorilla, but subtle differences can be found in the skull and tooth dimensions. Cross River gorillas live in a region populated by many humans who have encroached upon the gorilla’s territory—clearing forests for timber and to create fields for agriculture and livestock. Average adult female height: 140 cm (4 ft 7 in). The Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) is a subspecies of the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla). Gorilla Gorilla. The Cross River Gorilla was classified as a distinct sub-species in the year 2000. Scientists have been unable to thoroughly study the distribution and abundance of the Cross River gorilla until the last decade or so. Cross River gorillas are scattered in at least 11 groups across the lowland montane forests and rainforests of Cameroon and Nigeria, an area of 3,000 square miles, or about twice the size of Rhode Island. Environment: Cross-river watershed (Nigeria), Bioko Island and Cameroon Island). The continued fragmentation of Cross River Gorilla habitat across a large, complex area, together with the threat from hunting and the small number of gorillas remaining, has led to its critically endangered status. Cross River Gorilla. Applying resource selection functions at multiple scales to prioritize habitat use by the endangered Cross River gorilla. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Poaching occurs in the forests as well, and the loss of even a few of these gorillas has a detrimental effect on such a small population. Action Center of wildlife laws is often lax episodes of rare: Creatures of the western.. Of humans and inhabit rugged territory, scientists have been unable to thoroughly study the distribution abundance... 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