Evidence: The Cross River Gorilla

Part A

Read the following information about the Cross River Gorilla.

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:

First, logging logging is a direct cause of forest habitat fragmentation, which in turn
blocks animals from accessing food sources and prevents natural transfer between
groups. In addition, the creation of logging paths opens up easy access for
poachers to previously inaccessible areas.
Second, in in Cameroon, the illegal trade in animals is widespread, including the
bushmeat trade, the sale of animal parts for black magic and the pet trade.
Historically, non-domestic animals have been an important resource, especially in
small communities that depend on forest animals for protein .

Other of the major threats for the Cross River Gorilla is that are susceptible to
many human diseases and parasites, and there is growing recognition that they
can profoundly affect the viability of wild primate populations.
If the Cross River Gorilla species go extinct, the humans living in that nature
reserve will be to blame, also natural resources will be in danger of being depleted.
If the afforestation continues in Cameroon in a few years there will be no gorillas
and the people will not have foods.
Finally, if you do not collaborate with the care of this species, these animals will
have to suffer the abuse of insensitive people.
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.

 If I had a lot of money, I would donate thousands of pesos for research and I
would manage projects that end the felling of forests.
 If I lived in Cameroon, I would work hard making campaigns to protect animals,
especially the Cross River Gorilla’s species. Also, I would build a protection
center for these animals.
 If I lived in Cameroon or Nigeria, I would study an área related to the diseases
of these animals to help prevent and cure them.