Save Africa's most endangered gorillas

In February 2026, conservation organisations from across Cameroon came together in Douala to strengthen collaboration for the protection of the critically endangered Cross River gorilla. With fewer than 300 individuals remaining in the wild, this subspecies is the rarest gorilla in the world. It survives in small, fragmented forest habitats along the border of Cameroon and Nigeria, making coordinated conservation efforts more important than ever.

The three-day knowledge exchange workshop brought together nine local conservation organisations working directly in gorilla landscapes. Facilitated by the African Conservation Foundation, Environment and Rural Development Foundation and CEPOW Cameroon, the meeting created an important platform for organisations to share experiences, discuss challenges, and develop practical solutions for protecting gorillas and their habitats.

The forests where Cross River gorillas live are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems in West Africa. Important landscapes such as Takamanda National Park, Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary and the Mone Wildlife Reserve provide critical habitat not only for gorillas but also for forest elephants, chimpanzees, and many other rare species. However, these forests are increasingly under pressure from logging, agricultural expansion, and other human activities. Habitat fragmentation is one of the greatest threats to the survival of the Cross River gorilla, as isolated populations risk losing genetic diversity and becoming more vulnerable to extinction.

Community-led conservation

A key focus of the workshop was the role of community forests in protecting these vital habitats. Cameroon’s forestry law allows communities to legally manage forests for long-term sustainable use. When communities are supported with the right training and governance structures, community forests can become powerful tools for conservation. They allow local people to protect wildlife habitat while also generating sustainable benefits from the forest.

Participants shared their experiences establishing community forests and discussed how these areas can help maintain ecological corridors between gorilla populations. Maintaining these corridors is essential because it allows gorillas to move between forest areas, improving genetic diversity and strengthening the resilience of their populations.

The workshop also explored new approaches to monitoring wildlife and protecting forests. Participants learned about technologies, which helps conservation teams collect and analyse data on wildlife sightings, patrol activities, and threats such as poaching or illegal logging. Better monitoring helps conservation organisations respond more effectively to threats and track the impact of their work.

Another important discussion focused on supporting local livelihoods. Many communities living near gorilla habitats depend on forest resources for their survival. To ensure long-term conservation success, participants explored ways to create additional income opportunities that reduce pressure on forests. Examples discussed included agroforestry, beekeeping, aquaculture, mushroom production, and small livestock farming. These livelihood initiatives can provide income while keeping forests intact, creating benefits for both people and wildlife.

One of the most exciting outcomes of the workshop was the decision to create a new Cross River Gorilla Community-Led Conservation Alliance. This alliance will strengthen cooperation between organisations working across the gorilla’s range, allowing them to share knowledge, coordinate conservation actions, and mobilise resources more effectively.

Cross River Gorilla Conservation Alliance

Over the next year, alliance members plan to improve biodiversity monitoring systems, strengthen community forest governance, expand collaboration with Nigerian partners, and develop new conservation financing mechanisms such as carbon credit initiatives. By working together, these organisations can significantly increase the impact of their conservation efforts.

This collaboration represents an important step toward protecting the future of the Cross River gorilla and the forests it depends on. The dedication of local conservation organisations and communities provides hope that this rare species can still survive and recover.

Support from donors through GlobalGiving is helping make this work possible. Your contributions support collaboration between frontline conservation organisations, strengthen community forest protection, and help safeguard one of the world’s most endangered great apes.

With continued support, we can expand these efforts, protect more forest habitat, and ensure that future generations will still have the chance to live alongside the remarkable Cross River gorilla.

Links:

• Conservation Groups Unite to Save the World's Rarest Gorilla