Photos have been released for the first time in years showing a group of rare gorillas in the mountains of southern Nigeria, conservationists say.

Only 300 Cross River gorillas are known to live in the wild, making them the most endangered sub-species.

But the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) says this sighting raises hopes that the animals at risk of extinction are actually reproducing.

A number of infant gorillas are visible in the shots taken earlier this year.

WCS in Nigeria, an international non-governmental organisation, said the pictures were captured by camera traps in the Mbe mountains.

'Wary of humans'
Cross River gorillas are the world's rarest great ape, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) says.

They are naturally wary of humans and have subtle distinctions from other species - such as smaller heads, longer arms and lighter-coloured hair.

Great apes on lockdown over threat of coronavirus
The primates were known to live in some mountainous areas in Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon but are rarely seen.

The WCS says it is working closely with a community organisation, the Conservation Association of the Mbe Mountains, as well as authorities in Nigeria's Cross River state to protect the primates.
Via BBC News

Lalasticala how far

Now, we just endangered them!


All these people that eats anything that crawls, fly or walk on land will go hunting for them.

Just amazing. They have done well to hide from humans.