LOCATION: CROSS RIVER REGION, CAMEROON
TARGET SPECIES: CROSS RIVER GORILLA

In December of 2016, former Executive Director Rob Horwich traveled to Cameroon, along the Cameroon/Nigeria border.  His goal there was to work together with our partners in the field to protect the critically endangered Cross River gorilla. A subspecies of the lowland gorilla, only 200-300 individuals of the Cross River gorilla live today.  For this reason, Community Conservation’s work in Cameroon is vital to the survival of this important species.

In Cameroon, Rob and our Community Conservation partners in the field, including the staff of the Resource Center for Environment and Sustainable Development, met with villagers to begin the process of mapping, designing, and implementing the designation of a Community Forestry Area to protect habit for the gorillas. The initial meetings with the villagers produced excitement and much willingness to take the steps to designate and manage a reserve.

Unfortunately, political unrest has made it currently too dangerous to continue our efforts. We are monitoring the political environment and, when safety allows, we will continue to work with our partners in Cameroon and support the villagers in their efforts to create the reserve and protect gorillas.