Smuggling foiled: baby gorilla locked in a crate discovered at customs in Istanbul

The customs authorities at Istanbul Airport have recently a smuggling attempt foiled of wildlife involving a baby gorilla. The operation took place during a routine check on goods in transit, conducted by the Department for the Fight against Smuggling and Customs Intelligence.

The shipment, coming from Nigeria and headed to Bangkok, attracted the attention of agents due to irregularities in the transport documents. Inside the inspected crate, the officers found a baby gorilla locked in a cage.

This animal belongs to a species in critical danger of extinctionas established by Annex I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and its trade is therefore an attempt to circumvent international regulations on the protection of threatened species.

The puppy was entrusted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

The Turkish Ministry of Commerce announced that the puppy was delivered immediately entrusted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to receive appropriate care and a thorough medical evaluation. This action ensures that the animal is protected and assisted, avoiding further trauma after the cruel treatment suffered during transport.

Wildlife smuggling is a highly profitable black market, but extremely harmful to global biodiversity. Exotic animals such as gorillas are often victims of illegal trafficking, an activity that contributes to decline of their populations already severely threatened by habitat loss, poaching and climate change.

Thanks to operations like this, Turkey demonstrates its commitment to protecting wildlife to combat the illegal trade of protected species. Local authorities emphasize that the success of the operation is the result of careful data analysis and rigorous training of officers. This episode reminds us of the importance of firmly applying CITES regulations, an essential step to preserve the global ecosystem and protect vulnerable species from a destiny marked by human greed.