Endangered Baby Gorilla Intercepted at Istanbul Airport En Route to Bangkok
Authorities at Istanbul Airport have intercepted an endangered baby gorilla being smuggled from Nigeria to Bangkok. The discovery was made by the Customs Enforcement Smuggling and Intelligence Directorate as part of efforts to protect wildlife and natural habitats, according to the Daily Sabah on December 22.
The illicit cargo, a cage-type shipment flagged during routine risk analysis, contained a critically endangered “western gorilla.” This species is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which strictly regulates its international trade to exceptional cases, such as scientific research.
A Species on the Brink
Western gorillas, including the western lowland gorilla, are highly vulnerable to extinction. Appendix I classification underscores the urgent need to prevent their exploitation and ensure that any trade does not further deplete their already dwindling populations.
Reports reveal that Nigeria had an estimated population of only about 100 gorillas last year, making this discovery even more alarming.
Current Status of the Baby Gorilla
The rescued baby gorilla has been transferred to the Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Ministry for care. Initial reports indicate the animal is in better condition now than when it was first found.
Calls for Action Against Smuggling Networks
Edwin Wiek, founder of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, has called on the National Parks and Wildlife Department and Green Cops to investigate the smugglers behind this operation. He stressed that the young gorilla might have been intended for another destination, adding that such animals can fetch prices of Bt2-3 million on the black market.
Wiek also highlighted broader concerns, citing the recent smuggling of several orangutans from Indonesia into Thailand. He urged Thai authorities to prioritize dismantling the larger trafficking networks rather than focusing on low-level offenders.
This incident underscores the pressing need for international cooperation to combat wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species from exploitation.
