World’s Rarest Gorillas Caught On Camera

The world’s rarest gorillas were recently caught on film by a hidden camera trap in Cameroon.

The Christian Science Monitor reports that this is the first time that the elusive Cross River gorilla has been caught on camera.

Christopher Jameson, director of the Takamanda Mone Landscape Project, said:

“The footage provides us with our first tantalizing glimpses of Cross River gorillas behaving normally in their environment. A person can study these animals for years and never even catch a glimpse of the gorillas, much less see anything like this.”

Researchers estimate that there are only about 250 to 300 Cross River gorillas left on earth.

Steve Sanderson, WCS President and CEO, said:

“This video gives us all a spectacular view into the hidden world of one of our closest relatives, which is in dire need of our help to survive.”

The video, taken in the Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary, shows about 8 gorillas walking along a forest path. One gorilla (at about the 1:18 mark) is shown to have only one hand. UPI notes that locals don’t hunt the gorillas directly but the rare species can still be caught in injured in traps set up for other animals.

Liz Macfie, gorilla coordinator for WCS’s Species Program, said in a statement:

“Cross River gorillas occur in very low densities across their entire range, so the appearance of a possible snare injury is a reminder that continued law enforcement efforts are needed to prevent further injuries to gorillas in the sanctuary.”

Here’s the video from the Wildlife Conservation Society.