Baby Gorilla Zeytin Rescued from Trafficking, Recovering in Istanbul Zoo
Wildlife Smuggling Through Istanbul Airports Under Scrutiny as Endangered Species Are Saved
- The five-month-old gorilla, Zeytin, was rescued from illegal trafficking aboard a Turkish Airlines flight
- He is currently recovering at Polonezkoy Zoo, gaining weight and becoming more active
- Istanbul airports are becoming key hotspots for wildlife smuggling
A baby gorilla, rescued from a cargo hold on a Turkish Airlines flight, is recovering at an Istanbul zoo as wildlife officials assess the possibility of returning him to his natural habitat.
The five-month-old gorilla, named Zeytin (meaning “Olive”), was found in a box aboard a flight from Nigeria to Thailand last month. He is now being cared for at Polonezkoy Zoo, where he is slowly recovering from the traumatic ordeal.
Fahrettin Ulu, director of Istanbul Nature Conservation and National Parks, shared, “We hope the baby gorilla can return to his homeland. The most important thing is ensuring a safe environment for him.”
Since his rescue, Zeytin has gained weight and grown more active. Veterinarian Gulfem Esmen noted, “When he first arrived, he was very shy and stayed in one spot. Now he’s more confident and enjoys playing on his own.”
Both western and eastern gorillas, native to central Africa’s forests and mountains, are endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Istanbul’s airports have increasingly become hubs for wildlife smuggling, with customs officials at Sabiha Gokcen Airport recently discovering 17 young Nile crocodiles and 10 monitor lizards hidden in a passenger’s luggage.
