Baby Gorilla Named ‘Zeytin’ After Rescue at Istanbul Airport
A baby gorilla captured on December 22 when being smuggled from Nigeria to Bangkok through Istanbul Airport has been named “Zeytin” (Olive in Turkish) through public naming conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The world’s most critically endangered gorilla is now in a rehabilitation center in the Polonezköy district of Istanbul.
Living Conditions and Care
Zeytin is kept in a transparent encasement in which the only personnel admitted are caregivers dressed in freshly sanitized scrubs and face masks. The baby gorilla, previously discovered in critical condition, crammed in a small crate, appears to be making much better improvement, not only physiologically, but psychologically as well.
Veterinarian Gülfen Eşmen, who works with the care team, said that Zeytin is doing well. It plays with blankets, plush toys, and sometimes an abacus. ’Finally, it was afraid of people and not wanting to interact, it now plays and even is somewhat moody,’ Eşmen said. He considers her as a mother and other carers as siblings and the daily activities include taking milk, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
Growth and Progress
Since it was rescued, Zeytin has gained weight from 9.4 kg to 10.4 kg and has also gained height from 62 cm to 65.5 cm, as mentioned by Fahrettin Ulu, regional director of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP). ‘Said Ulu, This growth shows that it is receiving quality care in a facility made especially for the purpose.”
Future Plans
Plans for Zeytin to return to the district of Africa’s rainforests are still being considered. “We want to reintroduce the gorilla back to a safe area in the wild,” Ulu said. The ministry is working with other international organizations for instance the CITES Secretariat to decide on what to do next.
Public Participation
From the thousands of entries from the social media contest, the name “Zeytin” was chosen for the new airline. Ulu said thanks for the participation and added, “We have defined four names, and ‘Zeytin’ is the most preferred one.” Welcome, Zeytin, to Türkiye!"
A Unique Case in Türkiye
This is the first time a gorilla was reported in Türkiye since gorillas are not indigenous to the country. ”The smuggling incident is an indication that there is the need for wildlife protection as highlighted by Ulu,” he said. In the year 2024, the DKMP released as many as nearly 10,000 deer, foxes, and eagles that have been rehabilitated and were set free again in the wild.
Zeytin’s story also demonstrates the need for conservation and the impact that can be made by the general population when it comes to wildlife protection.
