Gorillas that use weapons against humans are now getting a helping hand from conservationists.

Unlike most gorillas, the Cross River gorillas of Nigeria and Cameroon are known to throw sticks and clumps of grass when threatened by people. They are also the most endangered gorilla subspecies.

The Wildlife Conservation Society released an action plan earlier this year to safeguard the 300 or so that remain in the wild. The plan includes field surveys next month to catalogue all potential habitat as well as raising awareness about the little known ape.

Researchers initially observed the gorillas using weapons during a study at the Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary in Cameroon and reported the findings earlier this year in the Journal of Primatology.

Today, the WCS announced it will begin new field surveys next month in an attempt to catalogue all potential gorilla habitat.