World's most rare specie of gorillas spotted in Nigeria

The world's rarest specie of gorillas were spotted with their offsprings in Calabar, southern Nigeria. This is the first time in years that pictures of these rare species have been released.

The gorillas were seven in number with their children, all captured moving in pack at the Mbe Mountains Community Forest in May and June, according to the Widelife Conservation Society (WCS).

The WCS said the pictures were not taken in person, but were captured by trail cameras hidden in several locations at the mountain.

These gorillas are also said to be wary of humans, and are the most endangered gorilla subspecies. In response, ecologists say they have deployed a team of 16 eco-guards to patrol and protect the gorillas and other widelife.

There are only about 300 individuals and are only found in an isolated region along Nigeria and Cameroun's border. But the director of WCS Nigeria's Cross River Gorilla Landscape Project, Inaoyom Imong, said this is an indication that the gorillas are reproducing successfully.

"It is extremely exciting to see so many young Cross River gorillas. It is an encouraging indication that these gorillas are now well protected and reproducing successfully after previous decades of hunting," Imong said.

The head of the nearest village to the mountain, Chief Damian Aria, also pledged his support to the WCS efforts, saying the community was happy and are hoping it will bring tourism to the region.