Cross River gorillas are one of the most endangered gorilla species in the wild, with about 300 individuals remaining. These gorillas are a subspecies of western gorillas and are rarely seen. They can be differentiated from western lowland gorillas by their differently shaped skulls and their greyer fur compared to eastern gorillas.
Cross River gorillas inhabit areas of Cameroon and Nigeria along the banks of the Cross River. They live in dense tropical forests, including Takamanda National Park in Cameroon and Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary. Their numbers are affected by poaching, habitat loss, and diseases.
The Cross River gorilla was identified and named as a new species by Paul Matschie, a mammalian taxonomist at Humboldt University’s Zoological Museum in Berlin, in 1904.
An adult male Cross River gorilla grows up to a height of 175 cm and weighs about 200 kg, while an adult female grows up to a height of 140 cm and weighs about 100 kg.
Cross River gorillas are separated from the nearest western lowland gorillas by about 300 km and about 250 km from gorillas living in the Ebo Forest of Cameroon.
Cross River gorillas are very social animals, living in groups called families that consist of about 4 to 7 individuals. Larger groups of 20 or 30 members are rare.
Each family is led by a dominant silverback who defends the family, mates with the females, and decides on feeding and nesting grounds.
These gorillas are primarily vegetarians, feeding on leaves, fruits, seeds, roots, shoots, and stems. While they mostly stay on the ground, they can also climb tree branches depending on their needs.
Their nesting behavior depends on factors such as seasonal fruit availability, climate, and nesting materials.
The physical characteristics of Cross River gorillas include smaller skulls, cranial vaults, palates, and ears, as well as shorter hand and bone lengths compared to other gorillas.
Cross River gorillas are also known by their scientific name, Gorilla gorilla diehli.
Conservation of Cross River Gorillas
The main threats to Cross River gorillas are habitat destruction, diseases, and poaching.
Due to these threats, Cross River gorillas have received attention from wildlife conservation organizations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), as well as from the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria.
The governments of Cameroon and Nigeria have enforced strict laws within national parks to reduce poaching of these endangered primates. They have also deployed well-armed and trained guards to prevent human encroachment into the parks.
Additionally, the governments have supported locals living near the parks to relocate to other areas to reduce pressure on gorilla habitats.
Best Time to Visit Cross River Gorillas
The best time to visit Cross River gorillas is during the dry season, from June to September and December to February. During these months, the trails are dry, making passage easier for trekking.
Cross River gorillas are fascinating creatures that play a vital role in the ecosystem.
