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Endangered baby gorilla Zeytin was rescued from wildlife smugglers at Istanbul Airport on December 22, 2024, after customs teams found him hidden in cargo heading out of Nigeria to Thailand.
Zeytin has since been rehabilitated under the care of Türkiye’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry at a zoo in Istanbul’s Polonezkoy district.
Now weighing 16 kilograms, up from just 9 at rescue, the baby gorilla is healthy and active as preparations continue for his return to Nigeria under international CITES rules.
Zeytin was found hidden in a small cage during a routine inspection at Istanbul Airport on December 22, 2024, after being illegally trafficked from Nigeria to Thailand.
Once rescued, the baby gorilla was transferred to Polonezkoy Zoo in Istanbul, where a special caretaker was assigned to oversee its rehabilitation.
At first weak and frightened, Zeytin gradually regained strength and now plays with toys and blankets, occasionally beating its chest in a sign of growing confidence.
The baby gorilla quickly became a popular figure in Türkiye upon its rescue and the name Zeytin (Olive) was chosen in a nationwide public poll that drew wide participation.
Officials say Zeytin’s health has steadily improved, with veterinary checks confirming his growth from 9 to 16 kilograms.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Directorate General of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP) has closely monitored Zeytin's recovery while preparing for repatriation, confirming that Nigeria officially requested its return and provided assurances on climate suitability, the presence of other gorillas, and protection against renewed trafficking.
Now, plans call for Zeytin’s transfer to Nigeria’s Drill Ranch, a primate rehabilitation center accredited by the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance.
Experts stress that joining other gorillas is vital for Zeytin’s social and physical development, something not possible in Türkiye.
Even though Zeytin has become an icon in Türkiye, his story began with a rescue from illegal animal trade at Istanbul Airport, raising questions about what his fate might have been without authorities’ intervention.
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