The Nigeria Customs Service has repatriated Bili, a female baby gorilla rescued from wildlife traffickers in Nigeria three years ago, to the Republic of Congo. The gorilla was recently flown from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to the Republic of Congo, according to Customs officials.
The NCS said the operation was its first international full-cycle wildlife operation, covering the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and eventual repatriation of a trafficked animal. Bili was said to have been rescued by Customs officers in August 2023 during an operation against wildlife trafficking and subsequently handed over to the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar, Cross River State, for rehabilitation.
Her return to Congo followed a DNA test which established that she originated from the country. Following the confirmation, Bili was moved from Calabar to Lagos before being flown to the Congo by DHL at no cost. She was accompanied on the journey by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor.
The gorilla was returned to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga in Pointe-Noire, Département du Kouilou, in the Republic of Congo. The repatriation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment. Gorillas are listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which affords them the highest level of protection under the convention.