BIOMONITORING & RESEARCH
Scientific Data Research /
protection of critically endangered, endangered, range restricted, endemic and data deficient species by permanent monitoring of biodiversity hotspots
SDG 9,15,17
The rapid rate of species extinction threatens the very existence of humankind. It is already affecting our closest relatives. There are now only around 250 of the little-studied Cross River gorillas left. We can only protect them if we know where they are. But searching for them is unpopular, as it is dangerous and costly. As a result, the data for many nature reserves is now out of date. We want to know where the gorillas are and prevent their extinction!
If the Cross-River gorillas are thriving, so are the other species. Join us on our gorilla research trips. We conduct targeted searches with small teams of scientists in areas where eyewitnesses have reported sightings of gorillas. We collect up-to-date GPS data on plants, animals and food sources, and create maps. This enables us to predict movement patterns. If we find gorilla groups, we can establish protected zones. We take genetic samples to assess the animals’ health. Follow our discoveries on social media. Our goal: a constantly updated map of the movements of the last 250 Cross-River gorillas.
With a donation of €500, we can already start a targeted one-week research trip!
Once we have collected enough donations, we will undertake targeted expeditions to track down the scattered population of Cross-River gorillas. We will interview eyewitnesses and then follow the animals' tracks into the rainforest. The expeditions are coordinated with the relevant authorities and last approximately 3-7 days. Team size is minimum 3 people. We report on our findings via Instagram.
07
species found
03
sites visited
05
eyewitnesses interviewed
WE HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH
"Because of the political situation in Cameroon, data has been lost in many parks. We no longer know where the species are that we want to protect."
Georg Langsi
- Conservator Banyang-Mbo -
Watching wild gorillas means that they get used to humans. This is good for studies, but unfortunately also for poachers. This group can be easily killed or infected with human diseases. Such habituation of a gorilla group is therefore accompanied by a high responsibility for many years.
THE TIME RUNS
"We don't have many years left - maybe five. The Cross River gorilla has only a small genetic pool of about 250-400 individuals. We see many orphans and old groups. If we don't act now, this species will go extinct. "
Dr. Andrew Fowler
- Primate Specialist Group -
