On Tuesday morning, the village square in Buanchor, southeastern Nigeria, buzzed with activity as members of a women’s conservation collective gathered before heading into the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. Their mission: monitor gorilla habitats and educate neighbors about the importance of preserving the critically endangered Cross River gorilla and the endangered Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee.

Over the past 18 months, women’s groups in Ulom, Katabang, and Buanchor have stepped into conservation roles historically dominated by men. With support from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and local NGOs, these collectives now coordinate community patrols and lead anti-poaching campaigns. The Cross River gorilla population—fewer than 300 individuals remain—relies on these protected forests, which also store an estimated 800,000 metric tons of carbon.

Unlike previous efforts that relied on external funding cycles and top-down enforcement, the women’s collectives have shifted the focus to grassroots stewardship. In June 2026, members reported a 20% drop in illegal logging incidents compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the Afi Mountain sanctuary, covering 100 square kilometers, has seen a modest increase in wildlife sightings, recorded by camera traps deployed by the collectives.

Challenges persist. Many households in these villages face economic pressure to exploit forest resources, and the women’s groups have called for additional support—both in microfinance access and training. Nevertheless, as the summer heat intensifies and bushmeat demand rises with seasonal festivals, the collectives are holding daily education sessions and expanding patrols to deter poaching.

With Nigeria aiming to meet its SDG 15 biodiversity targets by 2030, the Afi Mountain model is drawing attention from policymakers. The Ministry of Environment is expected to visit the sanctuary later this month, evaluating the potential for scaling community-led conservation elsewhere in Cross River State.