Baby gorilla confiscated at Istanbul Airport

I fear that a Turkish roadside zoo obtaining this infant could be a possibility. There are a few that call themselves a “rehabilitation center” or are given animals by the Turkish police. Another fear is the gorilla being given to Gaziantep zoo, which is where most confiscated wildlife usually end up. Gaziantep is not really a well equipped establishment to take care of gorillas, more so an infant.
 
PossumRoach said:
I fear that a Turkish roadside zoo obtaining this infant could be a possibility. There are a few that call themselves a “rehabilitation center” or are given animals by the Turkish police. Another fear is the gorilla being given to Gaziantep zoo, which is where most confiscated wildlife usually end up. Gaziantep is not really a well equipped establishment to take care of gorillas, more so an infant.
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I fear that possibility so I did not mention it... If that were to happen the gorilla would most probably end up dead sooner than later.
 
Fallax said:
Is this from the wild? If so wouldn't that make it a Cross River gorilla?
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There is no information on the species or whether it is from the wild or not, though it likely is wild. As far as I know Nigeria also has western lowland gorillas so it could be both species, genetic testing is needed to find out.

Also, possumroaches worries will likely become reality as this event has gained a lot of attention considering it has only been 3-4 hours since the news broke.
 
conservationistdude said:
There is no information on the species or whether it is from the wild or not, though it likely is wild. As far as I know Nigeria also has western lowland gorillas so it could be both species, genetic testing is needed to find out.

Also, possumroaches worries will likely become reality as this event has gained a lot of attention considering it has only been 3-4 hours since the news broke.
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I can't find any evidence for Nigeria having wild lowland gorillas, so if this animal is from the wild it is a Cross River Gorilla.
 
Thank goodness. This is a better choice than keeping it in Turkey. Sending the infant to Europe would be controversial and the infant having an unknown origin means that it might not be able to take part in the genepool in Europe. I just hope that the final destination is a safe place.
 
PossumRoach said:
Thank goodness. This is a better choice than keeping it in Turkey. Sending the infant to Europe would be controversial and the infant having an unknown origin means that it might not be able to take part in the genepool in Europe. I just hope that the final destination is a safe place.
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Definitely, I just hope they carry out this process properly and it does not end up in the hand of smugglers again.
 
Is there any way to tell visually if it is a Cross River gorilla? I assume suitable generic markers exist that it would be quite easy to do a genetic test?

I imagine it will be quite difficult to figure out what to do with this poor infant in Nigeria anyway.
 
I have been hearing allegations about the ministry changing its mind about sending the infant to Nigeria, claiming that there are concerns that the simian might end up being in the trade again. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has not addressed the allegations, and their nothing-burger of an update is not very assuring either.

Edit: according to the ministry, the infant is a male and is estimated to be five months old.
 
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Sorry for double posting, I thought I’d share this video which gives an update on the gorilla infant. Other than the aforementioned information, it is said that the gorilla is kept in an undisclosed zoo.

Maybe I don’t have a say in this since I don’t have any experience in rehab, let alone the rehab of baby apes, but I don’t know how baby toys and human dialogue is supposed to help him recover and get ready for the wild.
 
PossumRoach said:

Sorry for double posting, I thought I’d share this video which gives an update on the gorilla infant. Other than the aforementioned information, it is said that the gorilla is kept in an undisclosed zoo.

Maybe I don’t have a say in this since I don’t have any experience in rehab, let alone the rehab of baby apes, but I don’t know how baby toys and human dialogue is supposed to help him recover and get ready for the wild.
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I can't understand how release was ever proposed as a realistic and feasible option to begin with, or in the best interests of the animal at such a young age and without family. I'll also echo concerns that Nigeria may not necessarily be his actual point of origin in the wild.

I feel a good compromise would be sending him to one of the sanctuaries (Limbe in particular has housed a Cross River gorilla in the past, from 1994 to 2016). In light of the recent footage shared though, I don't particularly see that happening. Wherever he goes, be it zoo or sanctuary or release, my biggest concern is that he be able to live his life in safety and good health and welfare.
 
After months of silence there is finally news that Zeytin will be sent to Nigeria. While most articles don’t specify any specific location, one article cites an activist which says that Zeytin should be sent to Drill Ranch. Does Drill Ranch have the resources to take care of gorillas?

Meanwhile it seems like the keepers at Polonezköy have made an account for Zeytin with footage of him walking around the park and being fed sweet fruits.
 
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