Gorilla Killed in Nigeria
On October 27, 1998, an adult male gorilla was killed by a hunter on
Afi Mountain, a proposed wildlife sanctuary within the Afi River Forest
Reserve. Researchers of the Afi Gorilla Research Project discovered the
dead gorilla. When they were following a fresh gorilla trail, they discovered
a site where a gorilla had been killed and butchered. They followed the
hunter's trail to a cave where he had smoked the meat. The head and one
hand and foot were collected as evidence, but the rest of the meat was
already on its way to the local village where it was sold to 6 bushmeat
vendors for the equivalent of US$ 25. The Forestry Department, local communities,
police, and the Afi Gorilla Research Project moved quickly to search the
mountain until the hunter was found and arrested. On November 17, he was
charged in court and the Magistrate ordered him to remain in prison while
the case is referred to the Department of Public Prosecution and Federal
High Court.
Gorillas in Nigeria are fully protected under Federal Decree 11 and Cross
River State Wild Animals Protection Act. There are only approximately
150 gorillas remaining in Nigeria. They exist in 4 isolated, small subpopulations
(25–50 individuals each) in the southeastern Nigeria-Cameroon border
region. Each subpopulation is surrounded by a dense human population making
transfers between them nearly impossible. The Nigeria-Cameroon population
is isolated from the much larger populations of western lowland gorillas
in Central Africa. Studies are underway to establish the population's
uniqueness; it may be classified as a new subspecies of gorilla. This
would make them the most endangered gorillas in Africa.
The Forestry Department, Pandrillus, Afi Gorilla Research Project, and
others are working to establish Afi Mountain as a wildlife sanctuary.
It contains the largest and most dense subpopulation (approximately 50
individuals) of gorillas in Nigeria. Yet, it remains unprotected. The
other gorilla subpopulations occur within the Cross River National Park
which does not include Afi Mountain. Presently, the proposal to create
the wildlife sanctuary is reaching the final planning stages. Kelley McFarland,
an American doctoral student, is conducting an ecological study of gorillas
inhabiting Afi Mountain and is working with the Forestry Department to
provide information necessary for the establishment and management of
the proposed wildlife sanctuary.
Needless to say, gorillas in Nigeria are extremely vulnerable to hunting
and the hunter in question is presently the greatest threat to the survival
of the gorillas inhabiting Afi Mountain. He is well known as the most
prolific hunter in the area. For most of the past 12 years, he has lived
and hunted on Afi Mountain. All other hunters in the area only visit the
mountain periodically, never remaining for more than one night. This particular
hunter also recently killed 5 drill monkeys (Mandrillus leucophaeus)
and the skull of a female drill was recovered. Drills are another highly
endangered species under absolute protection in Nigeria.
Over the past 4 years, Pandrillus, which established the Drill
Rehabilitation and Breeding Center, attempted to provide the hunter with
alternative employment. However, at each attempt he abandoned his duties
and returned to hunting. The Forestry Department was in the midst of efforts
to once again provide an alternative for the hunter when these most recent
killings occurred. All involved felt that enough was enough and more serious
action was needed.
It is imperative to foster Nigeria's commitment to conservation. The immediate
actions taken by the Cross River State Forestry Department and police
to arrest and prosecute the hunter demonstrate their commitment to conserving
endangered species. Their actions will send a strong and clear message
that hunting endangered species will not be tolerated. The arrest of the
hunter and establishment of a wildlife sanctuary are firsts for the Cross
River State Forestry Department. If these unique and special gorillas
are to be conserved, it is important to support this authority as they
enter into new conservation territory.
Kelley McFarland
Kelley McFarland is conducting a study on the gorillas in the Afi River Forest Reserve, Nigeria, on the dietary and ranging requirements, the population size and in order to make recommendations for a proposed sanctuary.
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John Oates hands over material donated by us (4 tents, 4 tarpaulins, 4 GPS units, a camera and films, 4 compasses) on 18 January 1999 to Clement Ebin, Cross River National Park (left to right: Kanu Agabi, Clement Ebin, John Oates, A. A. Nchor). |
| Photo: Peter Jenkins |