The extraordinary intelligence of the Cross River gorilla, Africa’s most unique great ape, by Fatima Ma’aji Muhammad
Story by Fatima Ma’aji MUHAMMAD
(Student at Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt)
Deep within the rugged rainforests of Southern Nigeria lives one of the world’s most remarkable animals, the Cross River gorilla. Found nowhere else on Earth except Nigeria and a small part of Cameroon, this great ape stands as a rare symbol of strength, intelligence, and natural heritage.
The Cross River gorilla is the largest primate in Africa, yet also one of the most elusive. Built with powerful arms, broad chests, and keen awareness, it thrives in steep hills and dense forests where few animals can survive.
Feeding mainly on leaves, fruits, and stems, the gorilla plays a vital role in maintaining forest balance by spreading seeds and shaping vegetation.
A 2007 study published in the American Journal of Primatology revealed a surprising behaviour that set this subspecies apart. Researchers observed gorillas throwing sticks and clumps of grass when confronted by humans, an unusual response, as gorillas typically flee and rarely charge.
The finding highlighted their intelligence and ability to react deliberately to perceived threats.
The species also gained attention through Nyango, the only known Cross River gorilla ever kept in captivity. Her life, and her death on October 10, 2016, briefly brought global focus to a gorilla most people had never heard of.
Quiet, resilient, and deeply connected to its forest home, the Cross River gorilla remains one of Nigeria’s most extraordinary natural treasures, a silent guardian of the rainforest, watching, adapting, and enduring.
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