Action Plan

The Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) is one of the world’s most endangered great apes, with fewer than 300 individuals surviving in a fragmented landscape spanning the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. Protecting this species requires more than isolated conservation efforts; it demands a holistic, landscape-scale approach that integrates habitat connectivity, community engagement, sustainable livelihoods, and strong governance. Building on the foundations of the 2007 and 2014 Regional Action Plans, this updated framework reflects contemporary best practices in conservation, ecosystem restoration, and transboundary collaboration

This 9-point action plan sets out a strategic, multi-faceted approach to safeguard the future of the Cross River Gorilla. It emphasizes the protection and restoration of critical habitats, the empowerment of local communities as stewards of the forest, rigorous research and monitoring, sustainable financing, and robust law enforcement. By combining ecological priorities with social and economic considerations, this plan aims to ensure not only the survival of the species, but the long-term resilience of the landscapes and communities on which they depend.

1. Landscape‑scale conservation & habitat connectivity

  • Prioritize forest‑corridor mapping and protection connecting all known sub‑population nuclei (core areas) across Nigeria and Cameroon, to enable gene flow, dispersal, and long‑term viability.
  • Secure and formalize corridors via community forest reserves, conservation easements, or trans‑boundary protected‑area agreements.
  • Monitor land-use change in corridors and buffer zones (using satellite imagery + on‑ground patrols), with regular reviews.

2. Community‑led conservation + sustainable livelihoods

  • Expand sustainable livelihood programs for local communities: agroforestry, sustainable farming, non-timber forest products, alternative protein (vs bushmeat), eco‑services, etc. This reduces dependence on destructive practices.
  • Establish or strengthen community-managed forest reserves / community forest governance, with legal recognition and participatory management structures.
  • Provide continuous capacity building: ranger training, community rangers, environmental education, forest management training.

3. Transboundary cooperation & governance

  • Establish (or strengthen) a legally recognized trans‑boundary protected‑area network or heritage site between Nigeria and Cameroon to protect shared gorilla habitat and allow cross‑border movements.
  • Set up joint patrols, shared monitoring database, harmonized law enforcement, shared standards, and regular bilateral meetings.
  • Create a multi‑stakeholder governance mechanism: governments, NGOs, local communities, conservation groups.

4. Research, monitoring & adaptive management

  • Carry out periodic population and genetic surveys to estimate gorilla numbers, distribution and demographic trends.
  • Use standardized monitoring tools (e.g. SMART, CyberTracker, camera trapping, nest counts, forest‑use surveys) across all sites and corridors.
  • Monitor threats: poaching, logging, agricultural encroachment, bushmeat trade, forest fires, human‑wildlife conflict, disease spill-over.
  • Maintain a shared data repository accessible to all stakeholders, with annual (or biannual) review workshops and adaptive management adjustments.

5. Sustainable financing & long-term funding mechanisms

  • Establish a conservation trust fund or endowment dedicated to the Cross River landscape — to ensure stable long-term financing independent of short-term donor funding.
  • Develop diversified funding: international donors, governments, REDD+/climate‑finance mechanisms, payments for ecosystem services (carbon credits, forest carbon), sustainable ecotourism (if feasible), community‑based enterprises.
  • Promote transparency and accountability in fund management and disbursement, and maintain regular financial reporting.

6. Environmental education & outreach + community engagement

  • Implement continuous environmental education in local schools, communities, and among local leaders — to build long-term local ownership and awareness.
  • Include outreach not just about gorillas, but about forest ecosystem services (watershed protection, climate resilience, biodiversity, livelihoods).
  • Develop community-led communications and participatory decision-making platforms.

7. Law enforcement, policy & legal framework strengthening

  • Review and strengthen national/regional legislation protecting gorillas and habitat; harmonize between Nigeria and Cameroon if possible.
  • Support effective enforcement: increase ranger capacity (staff, equipment, training), ensure regular patrols, pursue prosecution for poaching/logging offenses.
  • Use community-ranger models, where local people are part of enforcement, to foster ownership and reduce conflicts.

8. Threat mitigation beyond habitat — addressing broader pressures

  • Incorporate fire‑management plans, disaster risk reduction, climate‑adaptation strategies (e.g. shifting agricultural zones, sustainable farming).
  • Monitor and manage disease risk (zoonoses), especially given small population size — health‑monitoring, awareness about human-animal contact.
  • Maintain ecological connectivity to allow gorilla movement under changing climate conditions.

9. Governance & institutional coordination

  • Create a cross-institutional coordination body (or strengthen an existing one), with representation from government, NGOs, local communities, researchers, donors.
  • Define roles & responsibilities, ensure periodic stakeholder meetings, transparent decision making, conflict resolution mechanisms.
  • Institutionalize the plan: not just project-based, but built into national conservation strategies for both countries, aligned with global priorities (e.g. landscape restoration, ecosystem-based climate adaptation).