A baby gorilla, dressed in a T-shirt and hidden inside a small wooden crate, has been rescued at Istanbul Airport in Turkey. The endangered animal was shipped from Nigeria and en route to Bangkok, Thailand via Istanbul. Officials from Türkiye’s Customs Enforcement, Smuggling and Intelligence Directorate were tracking the shipment. After the cargo reached Turkey, it was flagged for further inspection as part of their risk analysis efforts to protect wildlife and natural habitats.
“The animal is classified as ‘Gorilla gorilla’ (western lowland gorilla), a species listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),” the ministry was quoted as saying. Is a species.” Turkey Today.
In the footage going viral on social media, the baby gorilla is seen looking stressed, but two officers were gently caring for him by feeding him milk from a baby bottle.
Ufaklin durumu su n iii…
Istanbul Havlimaninda Tikaret Bakanlig Gyumruk Muhafaza Ekiplerinin Yaptigai Kontrolde Evklırı Olmadan Ulkemizdan Transit Gesirilmey Calisilan Goril Yavrusuna el Konulmustur.@milliparkler Targeting rehab and rehabilitation… pic.twitter.com/D36eSRVJuy
– TC Tarim and Orman Bakanlig (@TCTarim) 22 December 2024
Social media users reacted to the video, saying they felt sorry for the gorilla who was separated from his mother at such a young age.
One user said, “Look how he sits. His gaze is literally showing the trauma he has gone through. I hope he continues his life in good conditions in our country,” while another said: “Nice Work guys and please punish those responsible for this.” “Trafficking of baby gorillas.”
A third said: “I can’t help but feel sorry for the little boy. He looks sad.”
Viral video: Baby gorilla stumbles after being breastfed for the first time
baby gorilla moved
After the rescue, officials transferred the baby gorillas to the care units of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
“The little one is doing well. It was seized during customs check while being transported illegally without proper documentation,” officials confirmed.
“The personnel of the Directorate General of Nature Conservation and the national park are providing rehabilitation and necessary care. The gorilla is under close monitoring to ensure his recovery,” he said.
According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), international trade of endangered species is not permitted, except in some exceptional circumstances such as scientific research.
Specifically, the western gorilla is found mostly in the tropical rainforests of Central Africa, including countries such as Cameroon, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic. This species is in the endangered category due to habitat loss and population decline due to diseases and excessive poaching.
