Baby Gorilla Discovered During Smuggling Attempt at Istanbul Airport
The customs enforcement teams at the Istanbul Airport prevented an attempt to smuggle a critically endangered baby gorilla and revealed the facts about the ongoing illicit trade in animals.
Customs Alert: Exposing the Smuggling Plan
According to a statement from the Ministry of Trade, the Customs Enforcement Smuggling and Intelligence Directorate at Istanbul Airport reported a suspicious cargo shipment. This shipment from Nigeria to Bangkok consisted of cages, which during a standard risk assessment for the defence of natural environments and wildlife were identified as suspicious.
During the search, officials discovered a baby “western” gorilla, which is among the species that CITES has categorized as an endangered species and thus banned from commercial trade through Appendix I. This label defines the species as critically endangered and regulates its exportation to avoid further commercial use.
Caught on Camera
The narration of the intercepted gorilla shows that customs enforcement play an important step in the fight against wildlife trade. The operation is a reminder that people and countries need to be more careful in protecting endangered species.
What Is Appendix I of CITES?
CITES list of species in Appendix I is endangered species that are most vulnerable to extinction. The trade-in of these species is restricted to limited conditions, including the scientific research of the species in question. One of the listed animals is the western lowland gorilla, which is classified as under threat and requires immediate protection. Measures such as these are meant to arrest the slipping stocks of these species and stamp out illicit trade.
Immediate Action: Rescuing the Gorilla
After that, the baby gorilla was taken from the forest and given to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for proper treatment and a temporary home. Officials guaranteed the animal’s well-being while it started legal actions against the culprits of the smuggling endeavor.
One Successful Fight Against Wildlife Trafficking
The customs teams at Istanbul Airport stop a crime and protect a severely endangered species from becoming a victim of wildlife trafficking. Such actions demonstrate the need for close supervision and the application of the measures laid down in the CITES system to protect the world’s wildlife.
Smuggling and Organized Crime – CITES and Other Cases
The baby gorilla is now in the hands of the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for proper care. This interception comes as other smuggling attempts, a recent one being the arrest of a South Korean man for trying to smuggle hundreds of tarantulas. Police at Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport arrested the 28-year-old when they were suspicious of his ‘enlarged belly,’ which was actually packed with the tarantulas wrapped around his body.
