This mountain gorilla is one of about 610 left in the world. From Africa to southeast Asia, the world's great apes are in danger of becoming extinct. Experts say many could be extinct in five to 10 years if nothing is done to stop the destruction of their habitats, or environment. Humans' Closest Relative Great apes belong to a group of animals known as primates, which also includes humans and monkeys.
Most primates have complex brains, fingernails instead of claws and a sense of curiosity.
Great apes still live in 23 countries and experts working to save them are hoping to keep it that way. Orangutans' natural habitat on Indonesia's Borneo Island is being threatened by logging and forest fires. The Most Endangered Great Apes Projects are planned to save Cross River gorillas in the Afi Mountains of southern Nigeria, chimpanzees in the Ivory Coast and orangutans in Indonesia's Tanjung Putting National Park. Officials say the Cross River gorillas in Nigeria are the most critically endangered great apes in the world. UN officials are asking big companies and organizations to donate the rest of the money that is needed.