Why did Turkey decide to keep the rescued baby gorilla?

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Turkey Decided to Keep Rescued Baby Gorilla Due to DNA Test Results

Turkey decided to retain the rescued baby gorilla, Zeytin, after a DNA test indicated the primate belonged to a species not native to Nigeria. The gorilla was initially intercepted at Istanbul airport, having been trafficked from Nigeria en route to Thailand. While Turkey's conservation authorities had initiated a repatriation process to Nigeria, this was halted following the DNA findings, leading to the announcement that Zeytin would remain in a Turkish zoo.
Gorilla's Origin and Species Identification

The five-month-old gorilla, named Zeytin, was discovered in a wooden crate at Istanbul airport just before Christmas. He was en route from Nigeria to Thailand, indicating an illegal wildlife trafficking operation. Following his confiscation, Zeytin was placed in a zoo outside Istanbul to recover. The subsequent DNA test revealed that Zeytin's species was not indigenous to Nigeria, prompting Turkish officials to reconsider his repatriation.
Repatriation Process Halted

Upon discovering Zeytin, Nigerian authorities sought his repatriation, and Turkey commenced the necessary procedures. However, the confirmation from the DNA test that Zeytin was not of a Nigerian native species led to the suspension of this process. Turkish officials subsequently announced on a Friday that the gorilla would not be sent back to Nigeria but would instead be housed in a zoo within Turkey.
Conservation NGO's Disappointment and CITES Concerns

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from the Nigerian conservation NGO, Pandrillus Foundation. Liza Gadsby, director of the foundation, expressed extreme disappointment, stating that the Turkish government's decision "defies logic." Pandrillus Foundation had been preparing to receive Zeytin for onward transfer to a sanctuary in central Africa. Gadsby argued that keeping Zeytin in Turkey contravenes Turkey's obligations as a signatory to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which governs the international trade of endangered species.

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Why did Turkey decide to keep the rescued baby gorilla?

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