A five-month-old baby gorilla captured hearts worldwide after being rescued from the cargo hold of a Turkish Airlines flight. After a public naming competition, he is named Zeytin (Turkish for ‘olive’). The baby gorilla flew illegally from Nigeria to Thailand, and is now under care at Polonezköy Zoo near Istanbul, where he is regaining strength and confidence. Discussions are now underway concerning the endangered primate’s future ensuring he is in a safe and felicitous environment for his growth.
The Discovery: Wildlife Trafficking
Zeytin’s story began on a Turkish Airlines flight transiting through Türkiye’s capital, Istanbul, where during a routine customs inspection, officials discovered him in a small box. They smuggled the young gorilla on a Turkish Airlines flight from Nigeria to Thailand as part of an illegal wildlife trafficking operation. This discovery sheds light on the increasing role Istanbul plays as a transit hub and the challenges it faces in intercepting exotic animals being illegally transported across continents.
Surprisingly, this case is not an isolated incident. Istanbul’s airports have discovered other illegal wildlife trafficking operations, with 17 Nile crocodiles and 10 monitor lizards. Zeytin highlights the pressing need for more stringent measures to protect endangered species and end illegal wildlife trade.
Recovery: Polonezköy Zoo
Following the rescue, Zeytin was relocated to Polonezköy Zoo, an animal sanctuary located just outside of Istanbul. He has been receiving round-the-clock attention as veterinarians have begun his rehabilitation journey. Initially, he was shy and withdrawn due to the traumatic journey, but Zeytin made significant progress. Veterinarian Gulfem Esmen underscores this:
When he first came, he was very shy, he would stay where we left him. He doesn’t have that shyness now. He doesn’t even care about us much. He plays games by himself.
This progress is a testament to the nurturing and care Zeytin is receiving from the zoo’s team to recover from his traumatic start in life.
The Future: A Return to the Wild?
Officials are optimistic about Zeytin’s future, with considerations for him to return to his natural habitat in Central Africa. The regional director of Istanbul’s nature conservation and national parks, Fahrettin Ulu elaborates:
Of course, what we want and desire is for the baby gorilla … to continue its life in its homeland.
Nevertheless, ensuring that his natural habitat is safe and secure for his return is crucial when repatriating wildlife. Gorilla populations in the wild face major threats from poaching and loss of habitat. Conservationists hope that Zeytin’s story will raise awareness about the devastating impact of wildlife trafficking.
Undeniably, Zeytin’s recovery serves as a poignant reminder of the threats that gorillas face at the hand of crumbling ecosystems and avaricious poachers. His legacy will hopefully elucidate the importance of international collaboration to combat wildlife. From the confines of a smuggled cargo box to a bright and hopeful future, Zeytin shows us what can prevail through collective compassion, vigilance and a commitment to conservation.
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