Rescued Baby Gorilla at Airport Thrives and Gains Weight in Istanbul

A 5-month-old baby gorilla, discovered in the cargo hold of a plane, is now recovering at a zoo in Istanbul as officials deliberate on returning him to his natural habitat. The gorilla, named Zeytin—which means “olive” in Turkish—was found last month inside a crate on a Turkish Airlines flight traveling from Nigeria to Thailand, according to CBS News. Following a public naming competition, Zeytin is now on the mend.

Zeytin’s Road to Recovery

In the weeks following his rescue at the airport, Zeytin has shown significant improvement, both physically and behaviorally. He has gained weight and is slowly recovering from the ordeal of his traumatic journey.

“When he first arrived, he was very timid and stayed wherever we placed him,” explained Gulfem Esmen, a veterinarian caring for Zeytin. “Now, he’s no longer shy. He doesn’t pay much attention to us and entertains himself by playing.”

Authorities are hopeful about Zeytin’s future. “Our ultimate wish is for the baby gorilla to continue his life in his homeland,” shared Fahrettin Oulu, Istanbul’s regional director for nature conservation and national parks, during a statement on Sunday. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring Zeytin is relocated to a completely safe environment.

Istanbul’s Role in Illegal Wildlife Trade

Istanbul’s position as a major global air hub has made it a focal point for combating wildlife smuggling. Customs officials regularly intercept illegally trafficked animals passing through the city. In one notable case from October, authorities confiscated 17 young Nile crocodiles and 10 monitor lizards found in the luggage of an Egyptian passenger at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

Zeytin’s story underscores the risks and consequences of the illegal wildlife trade, while also offering hope for a better future for the young gorilla, who is finally receiving the care he deserves.

(Illustrative Photo by Andrea Acanfora: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-an-infant-gorilla-7268737/)


Comments

One response to “Rescued Baby Gorilla at Airport Thrives and Gains Weight in Istanbul”

  1. Metal Aphrodite Avatar
    Metal Aphrodite

    Oh, brilliant! A baby gorilla finds refuge in Istanbul—just what this city needed, more furry diplomats! 🦍🇹🇷 Let’s hope Zeytin doesn’t start a petition for better in-flight snacks, or we’ll be in a right pickle! 😂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Business Press Releases Foster Trust and Enhance Google Visibility

Business Press Releases Foster Trust and Enhance Google Visibility

London, July 13 Eurotoday Newspaper –  Business press releases are becoming a key part of corporate communication strategies as companies seek stronger online visibility and greater public trust. Public relations professionals report that businesses publishing timely, factual announcements are more likely to attract media attention while supporting their long-term presence in Google Search and G

Read More

Brussels Considers Online Child Safety

Brussels Considers Online Child Safety

Expert recommendations prioritize privacy, platform design, and young people’s wellbeing in Europe’s upcoming digital discussion
Today, the European Commission’s child-safety-online panel presents its recommendations to Ursula von der Leyen, steering the European debate from general concerns about young people’s screen time to specific policy decisions regarding social media, age assurance, and

Read More

Blair Advises Burnham: Popularity May Not Follow

Blair Advises Burnham: Popularity May Not Follow

Sir Keir Starmer’s farewell tour is in full swing, but will most of it take place outside the UK?
With additional time in Paris for Bastille Day celebrations and a potential trip to the World Cup final in the US, Starmer is concluding his tenure on the global stage – perhaps his comfort zone.
In Westminster, prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham intensifies government preparation, promisin

Read More

Mylan Intends to Divest Up to $363 Million Stake in India’s Biocon

Mylan Intends to Divest Up to $363 Million Stake in India’s Biocon

Bengaluru, July 13 Brussels Morning Newspaper –  Mylan Biocon stake sale has moved into focus after a term sheet showed Mylan plans to sell shares worth up to $363 million in Indian biopharmaceutical company Biocon. The proposed transaction is expected to take place through a block deal, allowing institutional investors to purchase a significant portion of the company’s publicly traded shares.
M

Read More

A ‘Super Tuesday’ for an Expanded EU

A ‘Super Tuesday’ for an Expanded EU

Ireland is prioritizing enlargement during its presidency of the EU Council, actively advancing accession discussions. Today, alongside the EU’s General Affairs Council, four separate accession conferences will be held for Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, and Montenegro, marking significant progress in their membership pursuits. Ireland’s Europe Minister Thomas Byrne noted this is the highest number of

Read More

Brazil’s Economy Forecast Predicts Moderate Growth After October Presidential Election

Brazil’s Economy Forecast Predicts Moderate Growth After October Presidential Election

São Paulo, July 13 Eurotoday Newspaper –  Brazil economy forecast remains positive as economists expect the country’s economy to grow at a moderate pace following the October presidential election. Analysts believe stable domestic demand, improving investment conditions and easing inflation could support continued economic expansion, although fiscal policy and global market uncertainty remain ke

Read More

Sinner Establishes Wimbledon Benchmark

Sinner Establishes Wimbledon Benchmark

Jannik Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon men’s singles title, overcoming Alexander Zverev in four sets on Centre Court. His victory emphasized the strength and depth of European tennis, highlighting resilience and the high expectations on top players. Sinner triumphed with a 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4 scoreline, marking his 100th Grand Slam match win and reinforcing his status as the

Read More

UK Police Arrest 12 in Far-Right Terrorism Investigation

UK Police Arrest 12 in Far-Right Terrorism Investigation

London, July 13 Eurotoday Newspaper – UK police arrests dominated headlines after counterterrorism officers detained 12 people during an investigation into suspected extreme right-wing terrorism. Authorities said the operation followed intelligence linked to an alleged threat against an Islamic event. Officers carried out coordinated searches across several locations while detectives continued g

Read More

Europeans Join Kyiv in Developing Indigenous Missile Defense

Europeans Join Kyiv in Developing Indigenous Missile Defense

In a move to form a “purely defensive Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition,” Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom are set to support Ukraine’s Project Freyja, a missile defense initiative by developer Fire Point.
This system is meant to integrate within NATO-standard radars, command centers, and data links of the participatin

Read More

EU Secures Enhanced Passenger Rights

EU Secures Enhanced Passenger Rights

The European Union has officially endorsed updated air passenger rights regulations that maintain compensation for significant delays and introduce clearer obligations for airlines regarding claims, information, family seating, hand baggage, and support for passengers with reduced mobility. This reform transforms a prolonged institutional dispute into a practical inquiry: whether passengers will

Read More