Young gorilla rescued from airplane cargo hold recovers at Istanbul zoo
CBSJAN 11
Smuggled Baby Gorilla Found on Turkey Airlines Flight
Above: An endangered baby gorilla, found by Turkish Ministry of Trade Customs Enforcement teams at Istanbul Airport is seen in a box in Istanbul, Turkey on Dec. 22, 2024. Image copyright: Turkish Ministry of Trade/Handout/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
A five-month-old gorilla — found inside a box during a customs check on a Turkish Airlines flight from Nigeria to Thailand at Istanbul Airport last month — is recovering at an Istanbul Zoo, officials said Sunday.
After it was rescued, the western lowland gorilla — reportedly facing the highest risk of extinction — was transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's care units.
The gorilla, named Zeytin after a public competition, is currently recuperating at Istanbul's Polonezkoy Zoo. According to officials, he has gained weight and shown significant behavioral improvement.
The Spin
Narrative A
The successful rehabilitation of Zeytin highlights Turkey's commitment to international wildlife conservation efforts and demonstrates Istanbul's growing role in combating wildlife trafficking and protecting endangered species. The gorilla's remarkable recovery and behavioral transformation prove the effectiveness of professional care and rehabilitation protocols.
Narrative B
The incident exposes the persistent challenges in preventing wildlife trafficking through major transportation hubs. Despite increased surveillance, smugglers continue to exploit air routes for illegal animal trade. Zeytin's case underscores the need for stronger international cooperation and stricter enforcement measures at transit points.