Conservation News
Cross River Gorilla Population Shows Recovery Signs in New Survey
July 30, 2026
A comprehensive wildlife survey conducted across Cross River National Park in south-east Nigeria has revealed encouraging population trends for the Cross River gorilla — one of the world's most critically endangered great apes with fewer than 250 individuals remaining.
The survey, carried out over six months using camera traps and transect surveys, recorded a 12% increase in identified individuals compared to the previous assessment conducted five years ago.
WAEN supported the survey through its Conservation Partnership Fund and helped coordinate cross-border data sharing with Cameroonian authorities, as the gorilla population ranges across the Nigeria-Cameroon border.