Learning activity 4

Evidence: The Cross River Gorilla

Part A

Read the following information about the Cross River Gorilla.

Fuente: SENA

The Cross River Gorilla is a subspecies of the western gorilla that is usually
found in montane rainforest between 1,500 and 3,500 meters and in bamboo
forest from about 2,500 to 3,000 meters. It differs from the other subspecies of
gorilla in skull and tooth dimensions. They live on a small area of high-land
forest on the border of Cameroon and Nigeria. They have been classified as a
critically endangered species. (World Wildlife Fund for Nature, s.f.)

Part B

Now, for completing the evidence you need to carry out a little research on the
web to find out the major threats for the Cross River Gorilla. With the
information obtained, write a short paragraph describing why this species is
facing extinction and the consequences of its hypothetical extinction. Make sure
you use conditionals in your text.
The major threats for the Cross River Gorilla are…

With regard to their threats, there are several: 1 Degradation and decline of habitats: is rapidly being lost due to
illegal logging and subsistence farming. To give us an idea, in 2000 an estimated forest cover in Nigeria was
estimated at 135,170 km² with an annual average decrease in forest cover of more than 4000 km² or 2.6%. And there
are timber concessions in almost all forest reserves in Nigeria, although not all are registered. By 1987, about 24 per
cent of Nigeria's protected area had already been converted to agricultural land, plantations and shrub areas. In
Nigeria and Cameroon the expansion of agriculture, palm oil plantations, and road networks have led to widespread
habitat degradation and fragmentation. There is also a decrease in its nutrient substrate due to the decrease in
vegetation.

2 Hunting: Despite legal prohibitions against gorilla killing, cases occur in Nigeria and Cameroon. In addition,
enforcement of laws is often lax, and most protected areas have poor poaching control. Even so, it has been possible
to reduce the hunting to a low level, although taking into account the few copies that remain, any amount of hunting is
already unsustainable for them.

2.1 The trade in wild meat is a cause for hunting; What has happened is that it has focused some of the concern on
hunting to trade with the meat of wild animals, due to the greater access to animals through the means of
communication. Although gorilla meat is not the most sold, the impact on ape populations is disproportionate due to
its slow reproduction rate and few individuals.

2.2 Traditional Medicine: Bones are used in traditional medicine in Cameroon and Nigeria and skulls are typically
preserved as a trophy.

2.3 The hands or feet do not seem to be especially valued, but they also hunt them as a trophy.

2.4 There have also been cases of sale of lactating gorillas, but this appears to be more of a punctual event.

3 Diseases: Another potential threat to gorillas in general is exposure to human diseases. At present this threat is not
great, but it must be taken into account as possible, especially considering that, for example, in the Afi Mountain
Wildlife Sanctuary there is some ecotourism. Preventive measures should be taken to minimize the transmission of
diseases, such as Ebola.

4 Road development

5 Wire traps for other gorilla species

6 Isolation of populations that can lead to inbreeding.

7 Their populations are small and fragmented, and they are in many areas outside protected areas, surrounded by
large human settlements, which makes them more vulnerable.
Part C

Now, to complete the evidence you need to record a tape in which you describe
the actions you would execute to prevent the Cross River Gorilla’s extinction.
Use your imagination to picture several scenarios in which you could help.

Fuente: SENA

Examples:

 If I had a lot of money, I would donate thousands of pesos for research.

 If I lived in Cameroon or Nigeria, I would build a protection center for the
Cross River Gorilla.

When you finish your work, send the files to your instructor through the platform
as follows:

1. Click on the title of this evidence.

2. Click Examinar mi equipo and look for the files in your computer. Make sure
the files are attached.
3. Leave a comment for the instructor (optional).
4. Click Enviar.

Important: The platform will only allow you to submit your files once. Please,
make sure you upload the two (2) files when submitting your evidence.
Note: This evidence is an individual activity. Remember to check the learning
guide in order to know if you have done all the assigned activities, know how to
develop them and deliver them correctly.

Criterios de evaluación
 Intercambia información personal sobre consecuencias reales e
imaginarias teniendo en cuenta la estructura gramatical y el vocabulario
requerido.

 Usa el vocabulario relacionado con animales y especies en vía de

extinción teniendo en cuenta el contexto requerido.

References

World Wildlife Fund for Nature. (s.f.). Cross River Gorilla. Consultado el 14 de
noviembre de 2014, en
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/great_apes/gorillas/cros
s_river_gorilla/