The Cross River Gorilla is Africa's most endangered primate, with fewer than 300 left in the wild. These rare gorillas live only in the rugged forests of Cross River State, Nigeria, around the Afi-Mbe-Okwangwo landscape. Empower Future Initiative is working with local communities to protect this fragile habitat, reduce human threats, and ensure these gorillas survive for future generations.
Cross River Gorillas face extinction due to deforestation, illegal hunting, farm expansion, and human encroachment. Poverty forces nearby communities to rely on forest resources, increasing pressure on gorilla habitats. Without urgent conservation action, Nigeria risks losing this unique species forever-along with the forest ecosystems that support local livelihoods and climate resilience.
This project supports community-led conservation in the Afi-Mbe-Okwangwo forests. We will train local forest guards, support alternative livelihoods, raise awareness, and strengthen habitat protection. By involving communities as conservation partners, the project reduces threats to gorillas while creating sustainable income opportunities that protect both people and wildlife.
Protecting Cross River Gorillas preserves biodiversity, strengthens forest ecosystems, and supports climate resilience. Communities gain sustainable livelihoods and conservation skills, reducing dependence on forest destruction. Long-term, this project helps ensure the survival of Africa's rarest gorilla while building a future where people and wildlife thrive together.
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