On December 26, a baby rhesus macaque was discovered hiding inside a crate at the intercity bus terminal in Antalya, Turkey.
The monkey, a victim of illegal wildlife trafficking, was found during a routine check.
The package, shipped from Ankara, attracted the attention of authorities when, during the normal screening process, suspicious movement was noticed inside it.
Subsequent inspection revealed the presence of the monkey, locked in a wooden crate with air holes. Municipal police and nature conservation teams were immediately alerted.
The person who showed up to collect the package was reported to the authorities for possession of a prohibited animal species, in violation of wildlife regulations.
Currently, the monkey is at the Natural Life Park of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, where it receives the necessary care and is in good health.
This episode highlights once again how wildlife smuggling represents a serious threat to global biodiversity, fueling a black market that puts the survival of numerous protected species at risk.
