Baby Gorilla Rescued in Turkey to Be Returned to Nigeria
A baby gorilla rescued from wildlife traffickers in Turkey will soon be returned to Nigeria, officials have announced.
The gorilla, named Zeytin, is a western lowland gorilla, a critically endangered species. Turkish authorities, the Pandrillus Foundation in Nigeria, and the CITES Secretariat are coordinating his repatriation.
Zeytin was discovered in a wooden crate on a Turkish Airlines cargo flight, part of an attempted trafficking operation from Nigeria to Thailand.
He was seized by customs officials and placed under protective care.
The interception occurred in Turkey, where Zeytin has since been rehabilitated at Polonezköy Zoo in Istanbul. He will now be transported to Nigeria, where the Pandrillus Foundation will house and care for him.
The gorilla was rescued just before Christmas last year. Plans for his repatriation were confirmed on Friday, September 12, 2025.
Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), trafficked animals must be returned to their country of origin.
Nigerian authorities and conservationists are working to ensure Zeytin’s welfare and eventual release back into the wild.
After arrival in Nigeria, Zeytin will undergo quarantine, health checks, and DNA testing at a primate rescue centre before being paired with other rescued gorillas, including one named Bili. The long-term plan is to rehabilitate him for possible reintroduction to the wild.
Officials say the case underscores the dangers of the illegal wildlife trade, which continues to threaten endangered species across Africa and beyond.
