Tall, muscular and with striking black hair, he is one of the world’s most eligible bachelors.
Ichi is one of just 100 Cross River gorillas in Nigeria – and he’s looking for a mate.
Researchers have been forced to warn local villagers to leave the huge animal alone after he was spotted venturing from the forest in a rare move to try and find a partner.
Camera trap photo of a silverback Cross River gorilla in Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary: Researchers have been forced to warn local villagers to leave the huge animal alone after he was spotted venturing from the forest in a rare move to try and find a partner. Stock image pictured.
Dr. Richard Bergl of the North Carolina Zoo: ‘Roaming blackbacks do not represent a threat to humans, but may come close to villages as they attempt to cross between one forest patch to another.
‘In the past these gorillas may have been killed, representing a significant loss to such a small population.’
Cross River gorillas have rarely been seen in the wild; they avoid humans by living on the steepest most inaccessible mountain slopes.
However, Ichi has recently been spotted close to the villages of Ofambe and Okiro in Obudu LGA, several miles outside of Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, the nearest gorilla stronghold.
The researchers believe the gorilla is a ‘blackback’ – a young male that has recently left its family group to start its own.
THE CROSS RIVER GORILLA
The Cross River gorilla is restricted to the mountains of Cross River State in Nigeria and adjacent areas in the south western region of Cameroon.
Gorillas in Nigeria only occur at three different sites: the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, the Mbe Mountains, and the Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park.
After decades of hunting and habitat loss, only 100 Cross River gorillas are estimated to survive in Nigeria and another 200 estimated in Cameroon.
A cross river gorilla chewing corn sticks: Only 100 Cross River gorillas are estimated to survive in Nigeria and another 200 estimated in Cameroon.
Gorillas normally live in small groups composed of a large dominant male known as a silverback together with three-to-four females and their young.
When these young gorillas mature, they leave to join another gorilla group.
Each blackback gorilla must roam the forest in search of a mate.
These wanderings are very important for the long-term survival of the species, allowing for the exchange of genes between groups.
Gorillas normally live in small groups composed of a large dominant male known as a silverback together with three-to-four females and their young.
When these young gorillas mature, they leave to join another gorilla group.
Each blackback gorilla must roam the forest in search of a mate.
These wanderings are very important for the long-term survival of the species, allowing for the exchange of genes between groups.
WCS has been educating village chiefs about the gorillas, which are harmless, to prevent them from being killed.
Thanks to this increased awareness, and two enlightened village chiefs in Ofambe (Chief Julius Ochui) and Okiro (Chief Augustine Bitte), the presence of this gorilla so close to the village has so far been tolerated by the community.
Additional education efforts include a radio show and Facebook page.
Cross River Gorilla expert Dr. Inaoyom Imong of WCS in Calabar said: ‘As long as the gorilla is left alone it will likely find its way back to the forest, and hopefully a mate.
‘This would be a positive outcome for conservation and the future of Nigeria’s biological heritage.’
Dirck Byler, Chief of Africa Programs at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said: ‘We are pleased to be able to support this important work to recover the critically endangered Cross River gorilla.
‘The news of a blackback dispersing outside of Afi is a clear indication that this project is having a significant impact in the region.’
WCS works to save Cross River gorillas through support for protected area management and wildlife law enforcement in Cross River National Park in Nigeria, along with Takamanda National Park, Mone River Forest Reserve, Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary and the Mbulu forest in Cameroon.