Cross River gorilla

The Cross River gorilla is indeed one of the most critically endangered species on the planet, with fewer than 300 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

About the Cross River Gorilla

Scientific Name: Gorilla gorilla diehli
Location: The Cross River gorilla is found in the rugged mountain forests along the border of Nigeria and Cameroon, primarily in the Cross-Sanaga-Bioko Coast Forest ecoregion. These forests, which include lowland, submontane, and montane forests, provide critical habitat for the species, but the terrain is challenging, making both human access and gorilla movement difficult.

Key Features

Physical Appearance:
- Fur: These gorillas have brownish-grey or black fur, but their faces, hands, and feet are devoid of fur.
- Head Shape: They feature cone-shaped heads with a distinctive reddish crest on top.
- Silverback: Like other adult male gorillas, they sport a silvery patch of hair down the center of their back, a feature that gives them the nickname "silverback."
Social Structure:
- The Cross River gorillas are social animals, typically living in groups of 2 to 20 individuals. The group is led by a dominant male (the silverback), who is the leader of the group. The groups often consist of 6-7 females and their offspring.
Diet: These gorillas are herbivores, feeding primarily on leaves, branches, nuts, and berries. They forage for food from a wide range of plants in their habitat.

Conservation Status

The Cross River gorilla is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This classification highlights the extremely low population numbers and the significant threat of extinction they face.

Key Threats

Habitat Loss: The main driver of their endangerment is habitat destruction, driven by activities like logging, agriculture, and human settlement.
Poaching: Although there have been conservation efforts, illegal hunting and poaching continue to threaten the population of these gorillas.
Human-Wildlife Conflict: As human populations encroach on their habitat, there is a growing conflict between the gorillas and local communities, especially as the animals sometimes raid crops.
Limited Genetic Diversity: The small number of individuals and their fragmented populations across the mountain range make it harder for the species to maintain a healthy genetic pool.

Why It Matters

The Cross River gorilla is the most endangered primate in Africa and plays a significant role in the biodiversity of its habitat. Protecting the species also contributes to preserving the rich ecosystem of the Cross-Sanaga-Bioko Coast.

Source: THE HINDU

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