Rare gorillas caught on camera

Rare gorillas caught on camera

First-ever footage of great ape in Cameroon's Ebo Forest could help campaign to protect the habitat and its many species of primate.

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Published: March 1, 2016 at 10:40 am

Gorillas in Cameroon’s Ebo Forest have been caught on camera for the first time.

Trailcam footage taken by the Gorilla Guardian Clubs programme shows three individuals in the forest, including one pregnant female.

The Gorilla Guardian Clubs is led by Ekwoge Abwe, who grew up in rural Cameroon and is now a passionate great ape conservationist.

The Ebo Forest covers 2,000km2, making it one of the largest tracts of forest left in the region, and is home to 11 species of great apes and monkeys, including a significant population of an endangered chimpanzee subspecies.

Its small population of western gorillas could be a new subspecies, but this is yet to be confirmed.

The Whitley Fund for Nature released the footage, saying it could add impetus to Abwe’s drive to have the forest declared a national park.

Gorillas are some of our closest relatives and they're fascinating creatures. Find out more about them by checking out our top 13 gorilla facts here:

13 amazing gorilla facts

Find out more about the Whitley Fund for Nature.

Main image: Girls on film: a pregnant female gorilla poses for the camera. © Gorilla Guardian Clubs

© Nature Picture Library/Getty

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