Customs Returns Rescued Baby Gorilla to Congo After Three-Year Rehabilitation
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, to the Republic of Congo following a week-long operation that marked the Service’s first full-cycle international wildlife operation.
The exercise, conducted from September 22 to 28, 2026, was coordinated through the Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
According to the NCS, the operation covered the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and eventual international repatriation of the trafficked gorilla to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga, Département du Kouilou, Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo.
Bili was rescued by Customs officers in August 2023 during enforcement operations against wildlife trafficking and was subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar for rehabilitation.
A DNA test later confirmed that the gorilla originated from the Republic of Congo, paving the way for her repatriation.
The animal was transported from Calabar to Lagos and subsequently airlifted to Congo by DHL at no cost. Bili was accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor during the journey.
The repatriation was supported by the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The NCS noted that gorillas are listed under Appendix I of CITES and therefore receive the highest level of protection under the convention as a species threatened with extinction.
The Service said Nigeria’s participation in CITES underscores its commitment to combating wildlife trafficking and enforcing international obligations on the protection of endangered species.
The Customs Special Wildlife Office has also continued to strengthen enforcement efforts against illegal wildlife trade through seizures, animal rescues and arrests.
Between January and September 2026, the SWO and Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects.
The seizures included 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory, alongside various live endangered and protected species.
The enforcement operations were carried out in Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos, among other locations.
Other notable interventions included the rescue of pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees. In September alone, Customs officers also intercepted 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks.
The Service said the arrests made in connection with some of the operations further demonstrated its efforts to disrupt networks involved in illegal wildlife trafficking.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the management team commended 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 support in ensuring Bili’s safe return.
The NCS reaffirmed that its responsibilities extend beyond revenue generation to include national security and environmental protection.
The Service also urged members of the public to provide information on suspected illegal wildlife trade to the nearest Customs formation.
