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Zoo New England has been a longtime supporter of gorilla conservation, devoting passion, expertise and resources to the preservation of this iconic species. Through this partnership, we deepen our commitment to not only Cross-River gorillas, but to the Community Rangers who work to protect them.
With a population estimated to be fewer than 300 individuals, the Cross-River gorilla is the most endangered great ape in Africa. The IUCN lists the Cross-River gorilla as “critically endangered,” meaning the species is considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Endemic only to Nigeria and Cameroon, these gorillas are considered a flagship species for conservation in the region.
Habitat loss is the most significant threat to Cross-River gorillas, primarily due to the conversion of forested land to agricultural or grazing land. The gorilla's habitat is also surrounded by some of the most densely settled human areas in the region, and the human population continues to increase. Other threats include poaching, disease and lack of management of protected habitat.
Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS) is home to about 10% of the total Cross-River gorilla population. This sanctuary and the surrounding Afi River Forest Reserve constitute one of the largest forest blocks left in Cross-River State, outside of the national park. Due to poor protection and weak management, the sanctuary has undergone a slow but steady decline. Gorilla habitat within the sanctuary is being lost to illegally grown farms, and illegal hunting is widespread.
Zoo New England is partnering with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to help strengthen the management and enforcement of protections within AMWS. Funding will provide field equipment and supplies, as well as help improve anti-poaching efforts. This partnership will support the full-time employment of Community Rangers, who play a critical role in the sanctuary’s well-being. Support of anti-poaching planning and monitoring by these rangers has shown to significantly improve law enforcement effectiveness and has gradually reduced hunting within the sanctuary.
Zoo New England has been an active participant in gorilla conservation through the following programs and initiatives:
Zoo New England is proud to support the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' SAFE initiative (Saving Animals from Extinction), a bold effort focused on #SavingSpecies. SAFE is a commitment by the Association's accredited zoos and aquariums to harness our collective resources, focus on specific endangered species, and save them from extinction by restoring healthy populations in the wild.
To offset declines in two subspecies of gorilla, AZA organizations raised $7.7 million for gorilla conservation from 2013-2017 and project leaders for the SAFE gorilla program are developing action plans to address the current threats. In 2018, AZA members spent more than $1,684,000 to help save gorillas from extinction.
Most recently, the SAFE program "Conservation of the Cross River Gorilla in Nigeria" was selected to receive a SAFE grant. Judges selected five of the 24 SAFE species projects to fund with over $190,000 in grants. Project participants will match these awards with more than $215,000 in additional funds, ultimately driving more than $408,000 to advance SAFE species program priorities and help vulnerable species. Ten AZA members, six additional non-governmental organizations, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will partner to implement these projects.
The Ape TAG Conservation Initiative is a collective effort by zoos to help conserve wild populations of endangered apes in their natural habitats. Projects range from species monitoring and protection to law enforcement, ecotourism, and veterinary and disease monitoring. All projects include the local communities. These projects help gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, gibbons and their habitats. More
Electronic gadgets like cell phones, ipods and tables contain coltan, a mineral extracted from the forests of Africa. Mining for coltan destroys the natural habitat of gorillas and many other species, pushing these animals closer to extinction. Zoo New England has teamed up with Eco-Cell, a company that partners with zoos across the country, to collect your recycled cell phones and refurbish them for reuse. This reduces the need for more coltan, leads to less mining and destruction of habitat, and helps the gorillas! More
Zoo New England participates in the Western lowland gorilla Species Survival Plan. By sharing research and knowledge, participating institutions work together to establish guidelines that best ensure the health of captive populations, and with success, the survival of otherwise extinct species. More
