10 Incredible Facts About Critically Endangered Cross River Gorillas

Cross River gorillas are a critically endangered subspecies of the western gorilla. They live in the lowland forests of Cameroon and Nigeria, but they are reclusive and shy of humans. We knew little about them until recently. We still don’t know a great deal, but that doesn’t mean we know nothing. Here are 10 incredible Cross River gorilla facts.

1. Only 200-300 Incredible Cross River Gorillas Remain

Only 200 to 300 Cross River gorillas are left in the world, making them critically endangered. In fact, they are the world’s rarest great apes. Habitat destruction is the main reason for their dwindling number. However, poaching is also a problem because even the loss of one in such a small population has a big effect.

2. Governments Have Created a Special Area For Them

The Cross River gorillas live on the Nigeria and Cameroon border in thick, dense jungles, and the mountainous Cross River Basin gives them their name. The World Wildlife Fund, along with Nigeria and Cameroon’s governments, have established several protected areas on both sides of the border, forming a transboundary conservation landscape for the Cross River gorilla.

3. They Are The Smallest Gorilla Subspecies

Out of all of the gorillas, the Cross River gorillas are the smallest. They are around four to 5.5 feet high and weigh up to 440 pounds. In comparison, the Eastern Lowland gorilla is around six feet tall and weighs around 550 pounds.

4. One Male Cross River Gorilla Is In Charge

Cross River gorillas live in small family groups of approximately four to seven individuals. The group is led by a dominant male who makes all the decisions. He chooses nesting sites and decides when the group can eat. The dominant male will decide if they nest on the ground or in the trees, depending on the season. If challenged, he will stand tall, beat his chest, and roar. Often, this male will have a patch of white fur on his back. This is why adult males are called silverbacks.

5. They Throw Sticks At Humans

Most gorilla species move away from nearby humans. However, Cross River gorillas are a bit bolder as they live in close proximity to people. As a result, they’ve thrown sticks, long grass, and mud at humans when they deemed them to be too close. It’s unusual behavior that is more commonly associated with chimpanzees. However, experts say it’s down to living in close contact with people.

6. In 2020, Incredible Images of Baby Apes Were Captured

In 2020, conservationists managed to take photographs of Cross River gorillas carrying multiple babies. This is incredible because they are notoriously difficult to photograph with their young. 50 cameras were set up in 2012, but it took eight years to get the photos. The photographs were captured in Cameroon’s Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary, Nigeria’s Mbe Mountains community forest, and Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. They are conservation areas set aside to protect the gorillas. The photos caused a lot of interest because they proved this endangered species was managing to reproduce.

7. Cross River Gorillas Were Only Recognized In 1904

Cross River gorillas were only scientifically described as a subspecies in 1904, but scientists didn’t survey them until 1987. Incredibly, Cross River gorillas weren’t captured on professional video until 2009.

8. They’re More Dextrous Than Other Gorillas

Scientists studying skeletal remains think Cross River gorillas are more dextrous than other gorillas, such as the Western Lowland gorilla. Their finger bones show they have more opposable thumb flexibility. Dextrous thumbs help them peel ginger stems, which is one of their favorite herbs to eat. It also helps them throw the aforementioned sticks at humans.

In general, gorillas have excellent dexterity. Some species use sticks to measure water depth and pull tasty ants from their burrows. It’s one of the main activities that really brings home how closely we’re connected to great apes.

9. There’s Only Ever Been One In Captivity  

There’s only ever been one Cross River gorilla in a wildlife center. Nyango was rescued from a poacher and taken to the Limbe Wildlife Center in Cameroon in 2007. She passed away in October 2016 after a long illness, but while she was there it gave conservationists the chance to observe Cross River gorilla behavior more closely than ever before.

10. They Are Incredible Parents

Cross River gorillas care for their young until they’re at least three to four years old. During these early years, females do not give birth to further babies but devote their attention to their current offspring. Recent genetic studies have found that Cross River gorillas show signs of recent inbreeding and a population bottleneck, highlighting the urgent need to prevent further habitat fragmentation and support genetic diversity. This is great news for their health and a sign that we need to stop habitat fragmentation.