Gorilla's $20B Trade Journey: From Trafficking to Wild

A young western lowland gorilla named Bili has embarked on a journey back toward the wild after being rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. She was recently released into an enclosure at the Tchimpounga Nature Reserve in the Republic of Congo. Bili's story began when she was intercepted in Lagos, Nigeria, in August 2023, following an undercover operation. She had been orphaned, likely due to the slaughter of her family for the exotic pet trade, and spent nearly all her young life in a rescue center.

The illegal wildlife trade, estimated to be worth $20 billion annually, poses a severe threat to primates. Many trafficked infants do not survive the ordeal due to lack of proper care and nutrition. Bili was cared for at Pandrillus' Drill Ranch in Nigeria, where she received crucial rehabilitation. Organizations like Focused Conservation and Pandrillus work to combat this trade, but sanctuaries face significant costs for post-seizure care.

Coordinated by United for Wildlife, Pandrillus, and Focused Conservation, Bili's relocation involved multiple government ministries from Nigeria and the Congo. Her 20-hour journey to the Republic of Congo concluded at the Jane Goodall Institute's Tchimpounga rehabilitation center. After a 40-day quarantine and health checks, Bili will be introduced to another young gorilla, with the ultimate hope of a return to life in the wild.