Conservation group seeks protection for gorillas

Forum 7 months ago

Conservation group seeks protection for gorillas

Nigeria’s tourism sector can benefit from the preservation of gorillas and their habitat found in Cross River State, Wild Africa Fund has said.

Wild Africa Fund, an ecology conservation non-governmental organisation, made this call in commemoration of World Gorilla Day held on 24 September annually.

The group noted that the preservation of wildlife was crucial to the ecosystem and also the pockets of the nation. Therefore, more needs to be done to educate Nigerians on the importance of wildlife and how its preservation would boost tourism.

Gorilla has been described as one of Africa’s most endangered ape species with less than 300 left in the wild and only 100 found in Nigeria’s Cross River state.

According to the wildlife conservation group, the Cross River gorilla faces threats of hunting and habitat loss due to agricultural expansion, commercial logging and the encroachment of human settlements into its habitat.

While the hunting of gorillas has reduced over the last few years, wire snares set for other animals in the bushmeat trade still entrap gorillas, injuring and killing them.

The co-founder and CEO of Wild Africa Fund, Peter Knights, said, “If wildlife can be successfully protected in Nigeria it can become a major driver of increased tourism and jobs.”

Nigeria’s representative at Wild Africa Funds, Festus Iyorah, said, “We can’t afford to lose even one of our 100 Cross River gorillas at this critical stage. Let us all come together to protect the Cross River gorilla and ensure that this remarkable species continues to thrive in our country for generations to come.”