Drills only live in Nigeria, Cameroon and Bioko with a total range measuring just 40,000 km2 and they suffer greatly from habitat loss and poaching. That is why drills are one of the most endangered species of primates in the world. Their situation in the wild is not fully known, but numbers are estimated between 3000 and 6000.
As drills live in large groups and mostly on the ground, they are easy an prey for hunters. The hunters surround a group with dogs and then shoot as many as they can. The adult animals are eaten or sold as bushmeat, while the infants are usually sold as pets.
The Limbe Wildlife Centre has a large group of 57 drills, of which 27 are born in captivity. It is hoped that one day drills can be returned to the wild, should suitable and safe forested field sites be found.
