Wildlife conservation group, Wild Africa, has called for urgent action to protect Nigeria’s last 100 surviving Cross River gorillas, urging Nigerians to support ongoing efforts to safeguard the species and their habitat while reducing demand for commercial bushmeat.
In a statement to mark World Gorilla Day, the group noted that the Cross River gorilla, which inhabits the mountainous region between Nigeria and Cameroon, is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as the most endangered ape species in the world. Fewer than 300 remain globally, with Nigeria home to about 100 individuals isolated across three protected areas in Cross River State: the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, the Mbe Mountains, and the Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park.
Once thought extinct after Nigeria’s civil war in the 1960s, the gorillas were rediscovered in the 1980s when a small number were identified on the banks of the Cross River. However, their survival is now threatened by poaching, habitat loss caused by agricultural expansion, and population pressure. The illegal bushmeat trade, especially hunting with wire snares, poses a particularly severe threat.
“We must act now to protect each and every one of Nigeria’s last Cross River gorillas,” said Nigeria Representative at Wild Africa, Festus Iyorah. “The gorillas are part of our national heritage. Let us come together to protect them and ensure that this remarkable species continues to thrive for future generations.”
Iyorah commended Nigeria’s recent legislative progress, citing the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill 2024, which has passed its third reading in the House of Representatives and now awaits Senate consideration.
“The process needs to be expedited,” he urged, stressing that passage into law would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat wildlife crime and protect critical habitats for iconic species like the Cross River gorilla.
Beyond avoiding extinction, Iyorah stressed that protecting gorillas also safeguards Nigeria’s ecological heritage and supports long-term economic sustainability. Gorillas help maintain healthy forests through seed dispersal and plant regeneration. As “umbrella species,” their conservation ensures the protection of other endangered species that share their habitats.
He further highlighted the potential of gorilla-based ecotourism to generate foreign exchange and support local livelihoods if conservation efforts succeed. “The responsibility lies with the Nigerian government to strengthen enforcement of wildlife laws, invest in habitat protection, and expand public education to reduce bushmeat demand,” he said.
