"Why Are You Coming Out There?" A 5-Month-Old 'Animal' Found in Airplane Cargo Hold

Baby Gorilla Dramatically Rescued at Istanbul Airport

A baby gorilla smuggled in the cargo hold of a passenger plane to Thailand was rescued. The incident took place at Istanbul Airport in T?rkiye. Authorities suspect the gorilla was involved in illegal smuggling.

On the 13th (local time), foreign media including the AP reported that Istanbul's Nature Conservation and National Parks authorities rescued and are protecting a 5-month-old gorilla at Istanbul Airport. The flight had departed from Nigeria last month and was headed to Thailand, with Istanbul Airport as a transit stop.

Baby gorilla Zaitin rescued at Istanbul Airport is drinking milk formula. Photo by AP Yonhap News

At the time, the gorilla was reportedly transported in a wooden box in the plane's cargo hold. The gorilla is currently being cared for at a zoo in Istanbul. Authorities confirmed that the baby gorilla did not have a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) permit and rescued it accordingly.

The emaciated baby gorilla, who had been avoiding people, has gained significant weight thanks to the devoted care of veterinarians and keepers. Authorities named the gorilla "Zeytin." A local veterinarian reported that the gorilla no longer fears humans.

Faretin Ulu, head of the National Parks, stated, "What we want is to return the baby gorilla to its natural habitat," adding, "However, it is important that a safe environment is established in the habitat."

5-month-old male gorilla Zaytin rescued at Istanbul Airport. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Western and Eastern gorillas, which inhabit the remote forests and mountains of Central Africa, are both classified as endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Meanwhile, several smuggling attempts have been detected at Istanbul Airport, which opened in 2019. Located at the crossroads of Europe, Central Asia, and Africa, T?rkiye serves as an intercontinental "aviation hub." In October last year, an Egyptian passenger was caught attempting to smuggle 17 Nile crocodiles and 10 monitor lizards hidden in luggage at Istanbul Airport.