Young gorilla rescued from aircraft hold recovers at Istanbul zoo

According to official sources, a young gorilla rescued from an airplane cargo hold is recovering at the Istanbul Zoo. Wildlife officials are currently considering returning it to its natural habitat, ensuring its long-term well-being.

The five-month-old gorilla was discovered last month in a box on a Turkish Airlines flight from Nigeria to Thailand. After a public vote, it was named "Zeytin," meaning "olive," and is currently recuperating at the Polonezköy Zoo, receiving specialized care and attention.

Fahrettin Ulu, Istanbul Regional Director of Nature Conservation and National Parks, stated on Sunday: "Of course, we want this young gorilla to continue its life in its homeland. It is important that an absolutely safe environment is established in the place where it goes, which is of utmost importance to us," highlighting the commitment to the gorilla's safety and future.

In the weeks since its discovery, Zeytin has gained weight and shown signs of recovery from its traumatic journey. Veterinarian Gülfen Esmén said: "When it first arrived, it was very shy and always stayed where we put it down. Now it no longer has that shyness and doesn't even care about us, playing games on its own," indicating a significant improvement in its overall health and behavior.

Western and Eastern gorillas, the two gorilla species distributed in the remote forests and mountains of Central Africa, are both listed as endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. As Istanbul becomes a major air hub between continents, cases of customs officials intercepting illegally traded animals are also increasing. In October of this year, 17 juvenile Nile crocodiles and 10 monitor lizards were found in the luggage of an Egyptian passenger at Sabiha Gökçen Airport, underscoring the ongoing challenges of wildlife trafficking.