Customs Repatriates Rescued Baby Gorilla to Republic of Congo in Landmark Wildlife Operation

By Ifeyinwa Ike

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has repatriated Bili, a rescued female baby gorilla, to the Republic of Congo, marking the Service’s first full-cycle international wildlife operation involving the interception, rescue, rehabilitation and return of a trafficked animal.

Bili was rescued by Customs officers in August 2023 during an enforcement operation against wildlife trafficking and subsequently placed under the care of the Pandrillus Foundation in Calabar for rehabilitation.

Following a DNA test that confirmed the gorilla’s origin as the Republic of Congo, arrangements were made for her transfer from Calabar to Lagos and eventual repatriation to the Réserve Naturelle de Tchimpounga in Pointe-Noire, Congo.

The repatriation, which took place between September 22 and 28, 2026, was carried out with the support of the CITES Management Authority under the Federal Ministry of Environment. Bili was transported by DHL at no cost, accompanied by a caregiver and a veterinary doctor. The gorilla is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which provides the highest level of protection for species threatened with extinction.

The Customs Service said the successful operation demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to international wildlife protection obligations and its efforts to strengthen enforcement against illegal wildlife trafficking.

It added that the Special Wildlife Office under the Customs Intelligence Unit is focused on disrupting trafficking networks while ensuring rescued animals receive appropriate care and are safely returned to their rightful destinations.

The repatriation comes amid intensified wildlife enforcement operations by the Service. Between January and September 2026, the Special Wildlife Office and Customs Area Commands recorded 22 wildlife seizures, rescued 699 live animals and arrested 11 suspects.

Among the seizures were 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 48 elephant tusks and 219.05 kilogrammes of worked ivory. Enforcement operations were conducted across several locations, including Ogun, Kano, Borno/Yobe, Calabar, Taraba, Kaduna and Lagos.

Other notable interventions involved the rescue of pangolins, primates, lion cubs, hyenas, crowned cranes, tortoises, gorillas and chimpanzees, as well as the interception of 440 African mud turtles and 90 ostrich chicks in September.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the management team 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 safe return.

The Service reaffirmed that its mandate extends beyond revenue generation to include national security and environmental protection, while urging members of the public to provide information on suspected illegal wildlife trafficking to the nearest Customs formation.