Trail cameras in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary have captured stunning footage of the world’s rarest great ape – the Cross River gorilla.
This was contained in a statement on Thursday by Oladapo Soneye, Head of Communication, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).
According to the statement, the sightings mark the first successful photos since three graduate students at the University of Calabar in Nigeria began studying this elusive subspecies last year as part of the Cross River Gorilla initiative.
Dr. Mary Liao, Conservation Manager, Wilder Institute, said: “Hiking into the Afi Mountain Sanctuary, I was filled with excitement at the prospect of seeing a Cross River gorilla in its natural habitat. While I may not have encountered one face-to-face, the images and videos captured by the camera traps are an incredible glimpse into the life of these elusive and magnificent creatures.
“I am incredibly impressed by Cole for his collaboration with local hunters and eco-guards to strategically place the traps, showcasing a perfect blend of scientific and community knowledge and embodying the essence of inclusive conservation.”
“It underscores the importance of community involvement and innovative research in conservation. By working closely with local communities, we are not only gathering crucial data but also fostering a deeper understanding and commitment to protecting these incredible great apes and their habitat.”
In 2022, a 5-years Community Conservation Graduate Student Scholarship Programme for the Conservation of Cross River Gorilla funded by the Wilder Institute – Calgary Zoo, implemented by NCF in partnership with the Centre for Biodiversity Conservation Research (CBCR) was started at the University of Calabar.
Dr. Joseph Onoja, DG of NCF, said: “As NCF, we appreciate our partners, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo,the Centre for Biodiversity Conservation Research, and the University of Calabar for their invaluable support to this initiative.
“The success of this initiative underscores the significance of collaborative partnerships in addressing the challenges faced by wildlife and their habitats and achieving sustainable wildlife conservation. We are also hopeful that this initiative will contribute to the realization of the objectives of our Strategic Pillar of Saving Species in peril.”
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