Gorillas

The Cameroon-Nigeria border region where the Cross River gorilla occurs is a biodiversity hotspot of global significance. The Cross River gorilla can therefore play a role as a 'flagship' species; the actions proposed in this plan ensure the survival of both this Critically Endangered ape and the region's immense biological wealth. This document represents the consensus of experts who met at a workshop in February 2012, in Limbe, South West Region, Cameroon. 

This report summarises the findings of a study, conducted between 2001 and 2002, which aimed to test the effectiveness of these strategies in reconciling biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development interests, in particular through interventions that both improved livelihoods and resulted in increased support for biodiversity conservation, in terms of the attitudes and behaviours of local communities.

In 2011, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) convened conservation partners to develop a conservation action plan for great apes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with financial support from the Arcus Foundation. The main goal of this initiative was to identify critical threats to gorillas, chimpanzees and their habitats in the landscape, and to develop conservation strategies to address these threats. Emphasis was placed on activities at a systemic and strategic level that could add value to the large-scale planning effort vis-à-vis site-level efforts.

In some areas of western equatorial Africa, ape populations have declined by more than 50% over the last twenty years. By far the most serious short-term threats to apes in this region are poaching and disease epidemics. In the longer term, however, it is believed that habitat loss and disturbance will become as serious a threat as hunting and disease. The world’s leading experts agree that the investment and actions described in this plan constitute the best strategy for preserving wild chimpanzees and gorilla populations in western equatorial Africa.

In some areas of western equatorial Africa, ape populations have declined by more than 50% over the last twenty years. By far the most serious short-term threats to apes in this region are poaching and disease epidemics. In the longer term, however, it is believed that habitat loss and disturbance will become as serious a threat as hunting and disease. The world’s leading experts agree that the investment and actions described in this plan constitute the best strategy for preserving wild chimpanzees and gorilla populations in western equatorial Africa.

The Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) is recognized by IUCN as Critically Endangered, and is the most threatened taxon of ape in Africa. Work during the last two decades has revealed that fewer than 300 Cross River gorillas may remain, spread across an area of about 12,000 km2. The outlook for these apes is far from hopeless, but a concerted and sustained effort will be required if their long-term survival is to be assured. Implementation of the recommendations in this plan would significantly increase the survival prospects for this species.