Gorillas presumed to be extinct seen with multiple babies in Nigeria

– The Cross River gorillas thought to be extinct were captured on camera with multiple youngones

– Never seen before images of the primates were captured by a conservationist, and they are proof the subspecies was alive and reproducing

– Conversation efforts were last established for the gorillas more than two decades ago

Rare images of Cross River gorillas with multiple youngones in Mbe mountains have been captured by conservationists.

The images are proof that the subspecies once feared to be extinct was reproducing amid protection efforts, The Canary reports.

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The gorillas avoid areas populated by humans. Photo: WCS Nigeria/AP
Source: UGC

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John Oates who helped establish conversation efforts for the animals more than two decades ago was excited about the new images.

Oates who is a professor emeritus at City University of New York and a primatologist told the Associated Press he was taken aback when he discovered the animals were thriving.

He added that in the past, coming across proof they were alive was difficult and next to impossible.

“It was great to see … evidence that these animals in the mountains are reproducing successfully because there have been so few images in the past,” the professor said.

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For years, it was difficult to spot photos of infants in the area. Photo: WCS Nigeria/AP
Source: UGC

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He added that very little information was known about how the primates reproduced and at what rate they did.

The conservationist explained that seeing a lot of infants in the mountains was a step in the right direction.

“We do not know too much about what is happening in regards to reproduction when it comes to this subspecies, so to spot many young animals in the area is a positive sign,” Oates said.

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Cameras set up in the mountains captured a lot of their youngones. Photo: WCS Nigeria/AP
Source: UGC

In 2012, conservationists set up about 50 cameras in Cameroon and Nigeria where the gorillas are mainly found but were unable to see them walking in clusters.

It was even harder to spot infants in the areas.

According to WWF, the main threats to the existence of Cross River gorillas are hunting and loss of habitat to humans.

Their population has been decreasing at an alarming rate. Photo: WCS Nigeria/AP
Source: UGC

It was also said the animals fear humans and rarely present themselves near settlements filled by people.

Between 1995 and 2010, their population decreased by 59% which was a worrying trend.

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