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Turkish authorities seized a 35-day-old male African lion cub in Istanbul after it was brought into Türkiye through illegal means, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced on Friday.
The ministry shared the update on X and said wildlife teams took the young lion under state protection.
Officials discovered the cub during a joint inspection at a veterinary clinic in the Tuzla district on the Asian side of the city.
The ministry said teams acted after receiving information about the animal’s presence in the clinic.
The ministry confirmed that administrative fines were imposed on two individuals involved in the incident.
It did not release further details about the identities of the individuals or how the cub entered the country.
In its statement, the ministry said “a roughly 35-day-old male African lion cub that had been brought into Türkiye through illegal means was seized,” adding that wildlife units moved quickly to secure the animal.
Wildlife officials are now caring for the cub at a designated facility. Authorities did not specify the next steps but said the animal remains under protection in line with Türkiye’s regulations on endangered species.
The seizure adds to ongoing efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade.
The ministry’s statement comes as inspections increase around veterinary clinics, pet shops, and suspected trafficking routes. Officials say they aim to prevent attempts to smuggle exotic animals into the country.
The incident also reflects wider regional challenges linked to the illegal trade of protected species, which often involves cross-border networks and covert transport methods.
Authorities said inspections would continue in Istanbul and other major cities.
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