This week, the Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP) has a surprise guest. Authorities discovered a 5-month-old baby gorilla during a routine cargo bay inspection of a Turkish Airlines flight. The animal was in a crate with holes and dressed in a dirty t-shirt. Suffering from malnourishment, authorities placed the baby gorilla in a rescue and recovery program at Polonezköy Zoo in Istanbul.
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The cargo manifest stated the crate contained “50 rabbits.” The baby gorilla is one of many illegally smuggled animals found and rescued. Authorities suspect the baby gorilla was going to an animal farm in Nakhon Pathom in Central Thailand. Since the discovery, police have raided the farm, resulting in the seizure of 284 animals.
The zoo held a contest to name their young guest. The winning name is Zeytin, which means “olive” in Turkish. He will undergo genetic testing to determine if he is an eastern or western gorilla. Both are in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The testing will reveal Zeytin’s origin to schedule a return to his native habitat.
Fahrettin Ulu, regional director of Istanbul DKMP, said, “…what we want and desire is for the baby gorilla … to continue its life in its homeland,” Since he arrived at the zoo, Zeytin has gained weight, grown taller, and is beginning to assert himself with chest banging dominance displays. The rescued gorilla is content to play by himself and explore his enclosure and shows signs of overcoming his trauma.
In discussions between the zoo and CITES, they may transfer Zeytin to a wildlife rehabilitation center to assist in transitioning him back into the wild.
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