ISTANBUL (AP) — A young gorilla rescued from a plane’s cargo hold is on the road to recovery at an Istanbul zoo, officials confirmed Sunday. Wildlife officers are now deliberating on the potential return of the 5-month-old gorilla to its natural habitat, as they closely monitor its progress.
The infant gorilla was found confined within a box on a Turkish Airlines flight originating from Nigeria and bound for Thailand in recent weeks. Following a public naming competition, the gorilla has been christened Zeytin, meaning Olive, and is currently being cared for at Polonezkoy Zoo.
Fahrettin Ulu, the regional director of Istanbul Nature Conservation and National Parks, expressed the collective aspiration for Zeytin’s eventual reintegration into its native environment. “What is important is that an absolutely safe environment is established in the place it goes to, which is extremely important for us,” Ulu underlined during a statement on Sunday.
In the period since his discovery, Zeytin has exhibited positive signs of progress, having noticeably gained weight and displayed indicators of recovery from the distressing ordeal. “When he first arrived, he was very timid, hesitating to interact with us,” remarked veterinarian Gulfem Esmen. “However, he has since shed his initial shyness and now engages in play independently, showing remarkable resilience.”
Both gorilla species—western and eastern gorillas, prevalent in the remote forests and mountains of central Africa—are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
As Istanbul strengthens its position as a key air transit hub bridging continents, authorities have increasingly intercepted instances of illicit animal trafficking. In a recent incident last October, customs officials at Sabiha Gokcen Airport discovered 17 juvenile Nile crocodiles and 10 monitor lizards concealed within the luggage of an Egyptian passenger.
The plight of Zeytin serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges posed by the illegal wildlife trade and underscores the critical importance of preserving endangered species in their natural habitats. Efforts to combat such illicit activities and promote conservation remain imperative in safeguarding the biodiversity of the planet.
The ongoing care and recovery of Zeytin symbolize a beacon of hope in the realm of wildlife conservation, as stakeholders work diligently to secure a brighter future for the young gorilla and his counterparts in the wild.
