Camera trap images reveal rare gorillas and primates in Nigeria wildlife reserve
Chimpanzees and Red River hogs are among the wildlife caught on camera in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary.
Camera trap images have revealed an array of primates including rare gorillas in a tiny nature reserve in Nigeria, conservationists said.
Pictures released by the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Nigeria programme also show other wildlife such as Red River hogs in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, which at 38.6 square miles is smaller than the city of Paris.
There are also shots of other primates such as Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees and drills.
The sanctuary was established by Cross River state government in 2000 to protect Cross River gorillas and other endangered wildlife.
The rangers patrol the sanctuary to discourage hunting and last year removed 2,405 wire snares, which are set for animals such as porcupines, hyrax and cane-rats, but can trap infant gorillas and pose a threat to the species’ recovery, the conservation group said.
It has a conservation education programme which aims to gradually change behaviour and attitude towards wildlife, based around support for school conservation clubs and a weekly radio drama.
