Why Do Cross River Gorillas
The Cross River Gorillas are subspecies of the western gorilla. They are the most northern and western form of gorillas. Having only a predicted 250 remaining, they are the worlds rarest great apes. Cross River Gorillas can be found in the forested hills and mountains of the Cameroon-Nigeria border region at the headwaters of the Cross River. They are herbivorous, with fruit comprising most of their diet. Their behavior is very distinct.
Cross River Gorillas are mainly omnivorous. They eat mainly fruit, but also eat leaves, stems, bark, and some invertebrates. They consume all the water that they need to survive from their food. Cross River Gorillas often have competition over the food due to the lack of food they eat and the amount of gorillas …show more content…
They require large and diverse areas of the forest to meet their habitat requirements. Natural habitats of the Cross River Gorilla are becoming homes for humans and humans are deplenishing the natural resources found in or around the gorillas’ habitats. Drastic deforestation and fragmentation of the land have ruined their habitats and lowered the carrying capacity of the habitats.
These gorillas have a very distinct and unusual behavior. They have learned to protect themselves from humans and retaliate at humans by throwing sticks and clumps of grass if they get to close. Beginning in April and lasting through November, they are likely to build their nests in trees. However, in december through March, they are more likely to build their nests on the ground. They are also more likely to construct their nests during the wet season than the dry season.
The hunting and killing of the Cross River Gorillas have had a major role in the species becoming endangered. The conversion of their habitats for agriculture and grazing has also played a major part in the process of the gorillas becoming extinct and has reduced the carrying capacity of their habitats. Poorly enforced wildlife laws, road construction by logging companies, and transmission of fatal human diseases, specifically the Ebola virus, are all threats to the population of Cross River
Cross River Gorillas are mainly omnivorous. They eat mainly fruit, but also eat leaves, stems, bark, and some invertebrates. They consume all the water that they need to survive from their food. Cross River Gorillas often have competition over the food due to the lack of food they eat and the amount of gorillas …show more content…
They require large and diverse areas of the forest to meet their habitat requirements. Natural habitats of the Cross River Gorilla are becoming homes for humans and humans are deplenishing the natural resources found in or around the gorillas’ habitats. Drastic deforestation and fragmentation of the land have ruined their habitats and lowered the carrying capacity of the habitats.
These gorillas have a very distinct and unusual behavior. They have learned to protect themselves from humans and retaliate at humans by throwing sticks and clumps of grass if they get to close. Beginning in April and lasting through November, they are likely to build their nests in trees. However, in december through March, they are more likely to build their nests on the ground. They are also more likely to construct their nests during the wet season than the dry season.
The hunting and killing of the Cross River Gorillas have had a major role in the species becoming endangered. The conversion of their habitats for agriculture and grazing has also played a major part in the process of the gorillas becoming extinct and has reduced the carrying capacity of their habitats. Poorly enforced wildlife laws, road construction by logging companies, and transmission of fatal human diseases, specifically the Ebola virus, are all threats to the population of Cross River