Zeytin the Gorilla in Pictures

Zeytin, a baby Western lowland gorilla, was rescued in December 2024 at Istanbul Airport after being smuggled from Nigeria to Thailand. Initially weak and fearful, he has since recovered at an Istanbul zoo, growing from 62 cm and 9 kg to 80 cm and nearly 16 kg. Now playful and confident, Zeytin—named “olive” by the Turkish public as a symbol of peace and resilience—will soon be repatriated to Nigeria for rehabilitation among other gorillas. His story underscores the dangers of wildlife trafficking and the importance of international cooperation in conservation, with Turkey pledging to monitor his welfare after his return.