Turkish authorities have successfully rescued a smuggled baby gorilla found inside a small crate at Istanbul airport. The endangered animal had been illegally transported from Nigeria to Thailand via Turkey when it was intercepted and saved.
In a video shared by Turkey’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on social media, the baby gorilla is seen wearing a t-shirt and being gently removed from the crate. The footage also shows workers feeding the animal from a baby bottle and taking care of it.
Ufaklığın durumu şu an iyi…
📍İstanbul Havalimanı'nda Ticaret Bakanlığı Gümrük Muhafaza ekiplerinin yaptığı kontrolde evrakları olmadan ülkemizden transit geçirilmeye çalışılan goril yavrusuna el konulmuştur.@milliparklar personelimiz tarafından rehabilitasyon ve bakımları… pic.twitter.com/D36eSRVJuy
— T.C. Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı (@TCTarim) December 22, 2024
The western gorilla, an endangered species, can only be traded under special conditions, such as for scientific research purposes. Authorities revealed that the gorilla was being smuggled without the required legal documents. As part of its wildlife protection efforts, Turkey’s Ministry of Trade tracked the shipment, leading to its interception by Customs Enforcement teams at Istanbul airport.
The Ministry confirmed that the baby gorilla is recovering and is under observation. It is currently being cared for by the National Parks staff, though it remains uncertain where it will be permanently housed once it is fully healthy.
About the Western Gorilla:
The western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) is one of two gorilla species, the other being the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei). Found mainly in the tropical rainforests of central and western Africa, including Cameroon, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo, western gorillas are herbivores, feeding on fruits, leaves, stems, and roots. Adult males weigh between 140-200 kg, while females can weigh up to 100 kg.
This species is critically endangered due to habitat destruction, disease, and poaching, with its population continuing to decline.
