The Federal Government has said that it is working with Turkish authorities to facilitate the safe return of a baby gorilla intercepted at Istanbul Airport on December 22, 2024.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, today.
According to the statement, the trafficking of endangered species is a serious crime that violates both Nigerian and international laws, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
The animal, which had been illegally smuggled from Nigeria and was en route to Bangkok, Thailand, was discovered during a routine inspection by Turkish officials.
The baby gorilla is classified as critically endangered under CITES Appendix I, and its trade is strictly prohibited unless for conservation or scientific purposes.
