Baby gorilla smuggling case in Türkiye leads to rescue of 284 animals in Thailand
Thai authorities stand beside the suspect during the raid in Nakhon Pathom as part of the wildlife trafficking investigation, Thailand, December 27, 2024. (IHA Photo)
The Istanbul Airport seizure of a smuggled baby gorilla on Dec. 22, has led to significant developments in Thailand.
Acting on information shared by Turkish authorities following the smuggling case, Thai police raided a farm in Nakhon Pathom province, uncovering 284 animals from 22 species, raising concerns about illegal wildlife trade.
Thai police raid farm after baby gorilla smuggling case in Istanbul
The baby gorilla, intercepted during a customs inspection at Istanbul Airport, was en route from Nigeria to Bangkok.
- Customs officers flagged the shipment, which was falsely declared as containing 50 rabbits, and discovered the critically endangered Western lowland gorilla hidden in a cage
- This species, classified under Appendix I of the CITES agreement, is at high risk of extinction, and its international trade is strictly prohibited except in rare cases
- Turkish authorities promptly shared intelligence about the smuggling case with Thailand, leading to a raid on the farm suspected to be the gorilla’s destination
During the operation, Thai police found hundreds of animals, including rare and exotic species, on the property.
Watcharin Phusit, head of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crimes division, reported that the farm possessed a license for animal trade, but investigations are ongoing to determine the legality of the operations.
Critically endangered species targeted by smuggling networks
Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of Thailand’s National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Department, stated that the gorilla was likely intended for further smuggling to another country.
He added, “The value of endangered gorillas in the illegal market can reach millions.” This case reflects the role of international trafficking networks in exploiting vulnerable species.
The Istanbul Airport seizure revealed how smugglers manipulate transit hubs to transport protected wildlife. Authorities noted the shipment’s origin in Nigeria, a known hotspot for wildlife trafficking, and its planned route through Türkiye to Thailand.
The baby gorilla recovered in the recent smuggling case is now under the care of Türkiye’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, where it is receiving rehabilitation and medical attention. Officials in both Türkiye and Thailand are expanding their investigations to identify and dismantle the networks behind similar smuggling attempts.
