Rare gorillas caught on camera
First-ever footage of great ape in Cameroon's Ebo Forest could help campaign to protect the habitat and its many species of primate.
Gorillas in Cameroon’s Ebo Forest have been caught on camera for the first time.
Trailcam footage taken by the Gorilla Guardian Clubs programme shows three individuals in the forest, including one pregnant female.
The Gorilla Guardian Clubs is led by Ekwoge Abwe, who grew up in rural Cameroon and is now a passionate great ape conservationist.
The Ebo Forest covers 2,000km2, making it one of the largest tracts of forest left in the region, and is home to 11 species of great apes and monkeys, including a significant population of an endangered chimpanzee subspecies.
Its small population of western gorillas could be a new subspecies, but this is yet to be confirmed.
The Whitley Fund for Nature released the footage, saying it could add impetus to Abwe’s drive to have the forest declared a national park.
Find out more about the Whitley Fund for Nature.
Main image: Girls on film: a pregnant female gorilla poses for the camera. © Gorilla Guardian Clubs
Authors
Subscribe to BBC Wildlife Magazine
Get the official copy of the Wild Isles by Patrick Barkham!
Subscribe to BBC Wildlife Magazine today and get a copy of the Wild Isles by Patrick Barkham plus, you will save 35% off the shop price and pay just £3.58 an issue!
