Again, Critically Endangered Gorilla Sighted In Cross River Community

A gorilla has been caught on camera in a community within Cross River State.

It was sighted in a mountainous community straddling the border between Nigeria and Cameroon.

Few months ago, some elephants were sighted in Boki LGA community where they reportedly ravaged some farmlands.

Dr Inayom Imong, a wildlife conservationist, confirmed on his social media handle that the gorilla was also captured in their forest cameras in the community, straddling the border between Nigeria and Cameroon.

He said Cross River gorillas are very rare and seldom seen but that evidence of their continued existence comes mainly from the ‘nests’ which they construct each night to sleep in, and from camera traps.

According to him, the Cross River gorilla is the most endangered of four gorilla sub-species and is classified as Critically Endangered.

Imong said the gorilla is only in a small area in the mountainous headwaters of the Cross River.

He noted that the animal is threatened by habitat loss and forest fragmentation, as well as occasional hunting.

As a result, he disclosed that fewer than 300 gorillas survive across the landscape.