Customs Repatriates R£scued Baby Gorilla To Congo In First Full-Cycle Wildlife Operation
Customs Repatriates Rescued Baby Gorilla To Congo In First Full-Cycle Wildlife Operation
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated a rescued female baby gorilla, Bili, to the Republic of Congo, completing what it described as its first full-cycle international wildlife operation.
The operation, conducted between September 22 and 28, covered the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and international repatriation of the trafficked animal.
Bili was rescued by Customs officers in August 2023 during an enforcement operation against wildlife trafficking and was subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar for rehabilitation.
Following a DNA test which confirmed that the gorilla originated from the Republic of Congo, arrangements were made for her return to the country.
Bili was transported from Calabar to Lagos and subsequently flown to the Republic of Congo by DHL at no cost, accompanied by a caregiver and veterinary doctor.
She was repatriated to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga in Pointe-Noire, Congo, with support from Nigeria’s CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The Customs Service said the repatriation was carried out in line with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), under which gorillas are listed in Appendix I and afforded the highest level of protection.
The service said Bili’s return demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to international wildlife protection obligations and efforts to disrupt trafficking networks.
The repatriation comes amid intensified enforcement against illegal wildlife trade in Nigeria.
Between January and September 2026, the Customs Special Wildlife Office and Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects, according to the service.
The seizures included 220kg of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05kg of worked ivory, as well as various endangered and protected species.
Customs said the interventions were recorded across Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations.
The rescued animals included pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees.
In September alone, the service said it intercepted 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks as part of efforts to curb the illegal wildlife trade.
The Customs Service acknowledged the support of the Pandrillus Foundation, DHL, Focused Conservation, the Aspinall Wildlife Trust, the CITES Desk of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the government of the Republic of Congo in facilitating Bili’s return.
The service also urged members of the public to report information on illegal wildlife trafficking to the nearest Customs formation, stressing that its responsibilities extend beyond revenue collection to national security and environmental protection.
