Endangered baby gorilla seized at Istanbul Airport

Duvar English

According to a statement from the Turkish Trade Ministry, Customs Enforcement and Intelligence Directorate teams at Istanbul Airport on Dec. 22 intercepted a baby gorilla being smuggled through international flights.

As part of "efforts to protect wildlife and natural habitats," the teams tracked a cage-type shipment originating in Nigeria and destined for Bangkok. Upon inspection, the cargo was found to contain a baby "western gorilla," a species listed as critically endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

In a written statement, the Trade Ministry reported that Customs Enforcement teams discovered that a baby gorilla was being transported without proper documentation while it was being transited through Turkey.

The statement noted that the gorilla, cared for and rehabilitated by National Parks staff, has been in improving health and would remain under observation. However, no decision regarding its permanent placement has been disclosed.

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