Turkish Customs Intercept Baby Gorilla on Cargo Flight

istanbul - Turkish customs officials intercepted a living baby gorilla at Istanbul airport, surprising everyone. The gorilla was found in a wooden crate with air holes, wearing an old t-shirt.

Turkish customs authorities were surprised to find a living baby gorilla at Istanbul airport on Sunday. The baby gorilla, a western lowland gorilla, was discovered in a wooden crate with air holes, dressed in an old t-shirt.

The cargo flight, originating from Nigeria and bound for the Thai capital Bangkok, had the baby gorilla onboard. Upon examination, the gorilla appeared content as it was cared for and fed by handlers, according to images shared by Turkish authorities.

The western lowland gorilla, native to southern Nigeria, is a critically endangered species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to a significant decline in numbers. The baby gorilla has been handed over to the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for further care.

Transporting protected species on international flights is strictly regulated, and it remains unclear if anyone has been detained in connection with this incident.