An illegally transported baby gorilla was discovered inside a crate at an airport.

At Istanbul Airport in Turkey, custom enforcement teams from the Ministry of Trade made a shocking discovery. Inside a small wooden crate, hidden among a cargo shipment from Nigeria, was a smuggled baby gorilla. This endangered animal was on its way to Bangkok, Thailand, where it would likely be exploited for profit.

Luckily, the Ministry of Trade had been monitoring the shipment and intervened before it could reach its destination. The western gorilla, listed as an endangered species, was immediately taken into custody for its protection. According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, the international trade of endangered animals is only allowed in exceptional circumstances, such as for scientific research.

The baby gorilla was then handed over to the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, as reported by Daily Sabah. This is not the first time that a smuggler has been caught at an airport trying to profit from the illegal trade of exotic animals. In fact, just last month, a man was arrested at an airport in Lima, Peru after officers noticed his suspiciously "swollen stomach." Upon further inspection, they found 300 tarantulas, 100 centipedes, and nine stinging bullet ants concealed beneath his jumper.

In another incident, customs officers in Uzbekistan were shocked to find a massive albino Burmese python in a passenger's carry-on luggage. The suspect was caught on camera at Tashkent airport, unzipping his bag to reveal the 10-foot-long snake curled up inside. These incidents serve as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to protect wildlife and natural habitats from exploitation and illegal trade.

The baby gorilla, who had come all the way from Nigeria, is now safe in the hands of the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. It is heartening to see that authorities are taking action to protect these endangered animals from falling into the wrong hands. Let us hope that these efforts continue and that these magnificent creatures can thrive in their natural habitats for generations to come.

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