Tengrinews.kz - Customs officials from the Ministry of Trade in Turkey intercepted an attempt to smuggle an endangered baby gorilla through Istanbul Airport, according to Daily Sabah.
Customs Enforcement Smuggling and Intelligence Directorate tracked a cargo container containing a cage that had been shipped from Nigeria to Bangkok.
Inspection revealed the cage housed a Gorilla gorilla (western gorilla), a species listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The report emphasized that international trade in species listed under Appendix I is only permitted under exceptional circumstances, such as for scientific research. Western gorillas, included in this category, require strict protection to prevent further population declines.
The baby gorilla was handed over to relevant departments within Turkey's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, ensuring its welfare and compliance with conservation efforts.
Earlier, a Kazakhstani man was fined for transporting an unusual passenger.
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