Never heard of this gorilla before, but maybe should take note if we want to retain a critically endangered relative of ours.

Scientists have been unable to thoroughly study the distribution and abundance of the Cross River gorilla until the last decade or so. Because the gorillas are wary of humans and inhabit rugged territory, scientists have been unable to count many of these gorillas directly. Instead, researchers have used indirect signs, such as nest counts, and estimated range sizes to determine that there are only about 200 to 300 of these gorillas left in the wild. Cross River gorillas are scattered in at least 11 groups across the lowland montane forests and rainforests of Cameroon and Nigeria, an area of 3,000 square miles, or about twice the size of Rhode Island.

This subspecies of the western gorilla is very similar in appearance to the more numerous western lowland gorilla, but subtle differences can be found in the skull and tooth dimensions. Cross River gorillas live in a region populated by many humans who have encroached upon the gorilla’s territory—clearing forests for timber and to create fields for agriculture and livestock. Poaching occurs in the forests as well, and the loss of even a few of these gorillas has a detrimental effect on such a small population.

Efforts to protect these animals are focused on securing the forests that house them. WWF and partners have worked with the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria to create a protected area for the Cross River gorilla that spans the border of these two nations.

STATUS
Critically Endangered

POPULATION
200 to 300 individuals

SCIENTIFIC NAME
Gorilla gorilla diehli

HEIGHT
4 to 5 ½ feet when standing on two feet

WEIGHT
up to 440 pounds

HUNTING
The hunting and killing of gorillas is illegal in Cameroon and Nigeria, but enforcement of wildlife laws is often lax. Following conservation efforts, hunting has declined to a low level, but any amount of gorilla killing will have a significantly impact an already small population.

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/cross-river-gorilla

I wonder if the only way to protect them and that would be dubious anyway, is to buy up the entire area they live in, evacuate all humans and have it as a protected sanctuary.

If we already encroach on their territory its unlikely to stop voluntarily

What a beautifully crafted image of such a magnificent animal.

Cymek said:

I wonder if the only way to protect them and that would be dubious anyway, is to buy up the entire area they live in, evacuate all humans and have it as a protected sanctuary.

If we already encroach on their territory its unlikely to stop voluntarily

The local people can benefit more from the conservation of these gorillas than from the poaching of them, if sensible policies are pursued.

Cymek said:

I wonder if the only way to protect them and that would be dubious anyway, is to buy up the entire area they live in, evacuate all humans and have it as a protected sanctuary.

If we already encroach on their territory its unlikely to stop voluntarily

Write to Mrs Steve Irwin and her wildlife warriors. See if she can help?

Bubblecar said:

Cymek said:

I wonder if the only way to protect them and that would be dubious anyway, is to buy up the entire area they live in, evacuate all humans and have it as a protected sanctuary.

If we already encroach on their territory its unlikely to stop voluntarily

The local people can benefit more from the conservation of these gorillas than from the poaching of them, if sensible policies are pursued.

It isn’t the way they live there though.
I liken the solution to the Bishop of the trees at the foot of Kilmanjaro.
The people removed the trees and the rivers dried up, the snow retreated on the peak. He takes the people to the bush to pray and plant trees.

It’s a strange but common mindset to see a magnificent animal and think I’d like to kill that for no purpose usually except to kill it.

Cymek said:

It’s a strange but common mindset to see a magnificent animal and think I’d like to kill that for no purpose usually except to kill it.

Bush meat for the people over there.

Cymek said:

I wonder if the only way to protect them and that would be dubious anyway, is to buy up the entire area they live in, evacuate all humans and have it as a protected sanctuary.

If we already encroach on their territory its unlikely to stop voluntarily

Large scale poaching occurs in most African National Parks. They need money and dedicated armed rangers.