A young gorilla named Zeytin (Olive), discovered in an illegal wildlife trafficking attempt at Istanbul Airport last year, will be returned to Nigeria under strict safeguards, Turkish authorities announced Wednesday, Aug. 13.

SHOTLIST:

ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE (AUG. 13, 2025) (ANADOLU – ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS OF ZEYTIN THE GORILLA PLAYING AND ROAMING IN HIS SHELTER

2. ZEYTIN THE GORILLA HANGING ON TREE

3. ZEYTIN WALKING AWAY


ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE (JAN. 13, 2025) (ANADOLU – ACCESS ALL) (FILE FOOTAGE)

4. CLOSE SHOT OF BABY GORILLA ZEYTIN

5. VARIOUS OF ZEYTIN PLAYING GAMES, DRINKING MILK / CARETAKER PLAYING WITH GORILLA


ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE (DEC. 22, 2024) (TURKISH MINISTRY OF TRADE - ACCESS ALL)(FILE FOOTAGE)

6. CLOSE SHOT OF ENDANGERED BABY GORILLA

7. CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OPENING CAGE OF ENDANGERED BABY GORILLA / BABY GORILLA IN CAGE


ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE (DEC. 22, 2024) (TURKISH MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY - ACCESS ALL) (FILE FOOTAGE)

8. BABY GORILLA IN CAGE

9. OFFICERS FEEDING BABY GORILLA WITH MILK BOTTLE

10. BABY GORILLA DRINKING MILK FROM BOTTLE


ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE (DEC. 29, 2024) (TURKISH MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY - ACCESS ALL) (FILE FOOTAGE)

11. VARIOUS OF BABY GORILLA UNDER CARE AT REHABILITATION CENTER
ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE - AUG. 13: A young gorilla named "Zeytin" (Olive), discovered in an illegal wildlife trafficking attempt at Istanbul Airport last year, will be returned to Nigeria under strict safeguards, Turkish authorities announced Wednesday, Aug. 13.

The General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP) confirmed the repatriation process has begun, contingent on guarantees from Nigerian officials that the gorilla will not re-enter illegal trade and will reside in a specialized rehabilitation center.

The decision aligns with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), under which Nigeria, as the exporting country, holds the right to reclaim the animal.

DKMP emphasized that the return prioritizes Zeytin’s welfare, including minimizing stress from transport, ensuring climatic compatibility between Türkiye and Nigeria, and adherence to International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards during the Turkish Airlines (THY) flight.

Zeytin was seized on December 21, 2024, during a routine inspection of cargo transiting from Nigeria to Thailand.

The absence of a CITES permit led to its confiscation. After health evaluations, the gorilla was temporarily housed at an Istanbul zoo, where a dedicated caretaker monitored its recovery.
The case sparked widespread media attention, culminating in a public poll to name the gorilla—"Zeytin" emerged as the favorite.

Officials did not specify a timeline for the transfer but reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing anti-trafficking measures.

CITES mandates such returns to combat the illegal wildlife trade, which threatens endangered species globally.

Reporting by Dogukan Gurel

Writing by Sibel Uygun