World
Trafficked gorilla Bili relocated to Republic of Congo sanctuary
October 16, 2026 at 07:58 PM
Coverage
2 reports · 1 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 11 hours
Trafficked baby gorilla Bili has begun a new life at the Tchimpounga reserve in the Republic of Congo after an international relocation.
- Nigerian customs seized Bili in Lagos in August 2023 after an undercover operation that ended in two convictions.
- Bili left Calabar on September 21 for a 20-hour road trip to Lagos, then flew to the Republic of Congo en route to Tchimpounga Nature Reserve.
- Primatologist Lindsay Maess said upwards of 80% of trafficked gorillas do not survive.
- Bili faces a 40-day quarantine before being introduced to a younger female gorilla named Mozambique.