Calabar:Abuja: The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the successful repatriation of a female baby gorilla named Bili to the Republic of Congo following a three-year rehabilitation program.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NCS Spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada stated that Bili was repatriated after DNA testing confirmed her origin. The gorilla was rescued at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and was returned to the Republic of Congo in an operation conducted by the service’s Special Wildlife Office under the Customs Intelligence Unit from September 22 to September 28.
Bili was initially rescued by Customs officers in August 2023 during an enforcement operation against wildlife trafficking. She was placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar for rehabilitation. Following confirmation of her origin, officials organized her repatriation from Calabar to Lagos, and she was airlifted to the Congo at no cost by DHL, accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor.
The repatriation adhered to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) guidelines and was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment. Bili, listed under Appendix I of CITES, is afforded the highest level of protection as a species threatened with extinction.
Nigeria, as a signatory to CITES, reaffirms its commitment to protecting endangered species and enforcing international wildlife protection obligations. The NCS remains dedicated to enhancing its capabilities to combat wildlife trafficking and ensuring rescued animals are returned safely to their natural habitats.
From January to September, the Special Wildlife Office and Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals, and arrested 11 suspects. The seizures included pangolin scales, elephant tusks, and worked ivory, alongside various endangered species. Enforcement operations took place in several locations, including Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna, and Lagos.
Notable rescues included pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas, and chimpanzees. The operations also led to arrests linked to wildlife trafficking, showcasing the service’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade.
The NCS, led by Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, acknowledges 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 for their roles in welcoming Bili home. The NCS continues to prioritize national security and environmental protection, urging the public to report suspected illegal wildlife trade.