Stakeholders move to save Cross River gorilla

Stakeholders recently met in Calabar at a workshop convened by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon to discuss strategies to save the critically endangered Cross River gorilla.
Known as a ‘flagship’ species for the region, the Cross River gorilla (gorilla diehli) is the most endangered great ape in Africa.  As a result of hunting and habitat loss, the total population of Cross River gorillas may number fewer than 300 individuals today.  Around 100 Cross River gorillas are left in Nigeria with the remainder found in Cameroon.
Within this landscape, the gorillas are concentrated in rugged hill areas that are difficult for people to reach and therefore less disturbed by farming and hunting.
Ensuring the survival of Cross River gorillas requires a sustained, committed and comprehensive conservation effort involving scientists and conservationists working with government agencies and local communities in the region. Conservation initiatives must focus on eliminating hunting, securing remaining habitat, and maintaining connections between gorilla areas.
A statement issued by the Wildlife Conservation Society said that the Calabar meeting attracted more than 50 participants from Nigeria, Cameroon, the USA, UK, Switzerland and France.
Speaking at the workshop, Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, said the development of tourism remained the flagship of his administration, stressing that the state has a comparative advantage over others due to the presence of nature-based attractions such as the Cross River gorilla.