W.Africa gorilla numbers far higher than thought, but still endangered

Miami (AFP) – Gorillas and chimpanzees may be twice as numerous in West Africa as previously thought, but the apes are still endangered, declining fast and in dire need of protection, an international study found Wednesday.

The new count uses mathematical modeling to project that western lowland gorillas in western equatorial Africa number nearly 362,000, up from prior estimates of 150,000-250,000 individuals, said the report in the journal Science Advances.

And chimpanzees in the area are expected to number almost 129,000, up from earlier counts of 70,000 to 117,000.