Cross River Gorilla

Not only the rangers of protected areas are responsible for the conservation of gorillas – the local population has to be convinced too. This is the aim of the Wildlife Conservation Society‘s education and outreach activities in Nigeria. This campaign has reached about 42,000 people living in 49 villages in and around Cross River National Park.

Now the ongoing conservation education activities is to be improved and expanded for critical audiences such as school children, farmers and hunters. It is important for people in the communities to understand how their actions affect the environment, how they can reduce the environmental damage and threats to Cross River gorillas and ensure that there will be a continual supply of natural resources in the future.

WCS project manager Andrew Dunn sent us a request for additional funding that especially approaches future generations. A total of 25 teachers will be trained on conservation education, field trips with school clubs to the Mbe Mountains are planned. Other activities will include facilitation of World Environment Day to raise a campaign rally against deforestation and poaching for bushmeat, a Cross River gorilla school exercise book will be developed and films will be shown in villages.

Help us to support the Wildlife Conservation Society for realizing this important campaign! Euro 8,000 are needed to carry out these conservation education activities for one year. By donating for the education of school children, you can contribute to the survival of the rarest gorillas in the world.

Update: the requested funds were transferred to the project in Spring 2012.