Rescued Baby Gorilla Bili Begins New Life at Congo Sanctuary

Bili, a western lowland gorilla rescued from wildlife traffickers as an infant in Nigeria in 2023, has been transferred to a forest sanctuary in the Republic of the Congo. According to reported accounts, experts believe her family members were likely killed when she was captured for the exotic pet trade. Following an undercover operation by Nigeria Customs Service and Focused Conservation, two men were arrested and convicted. Bili spent three years recovering from illness and trauma at Drill Ranch, managed by the Pandrillus Foundation, before an international transfer on September 21-23, 2026, coordinated by multiple conservation partners including the Jane Goodall Institute.

Rehabilitation and International Transfer

• Rescue: Seized in Lagos, Nigeria, in August 2023 during an illegal sale attempt.
• Initial Care: Rehabilitated at Drill Ranch in Calabar, Nigeria, overcoming fungal infections and trauma with the help of human caregivers and rescued chimpanzee companions.
• Cross-Border Move: Transported via a 22-hour road journey to Lagos and a DHL cargo flight to Pointe-Noire, arriving in the Republic of the Congo on September 23, 2026.

Future Outlook and Conservation Impact

At the Tchimpounga Nature Reserve, Bili was expected to complete a 40-day quarantine and health check period before being introduced to another younger female gorilla named Mozambique. Conservationists hope that successful rehabilitation could eventually lead to placement in the Lesio-Louna Reserve and a potential return to the wild, though her future depends entirely on her ongoing health and behavioural adaptation. The case underscores the severe financial and logistical burdens placed on wildlife sanctuaries by the illegal pet trade, which Interpol estimates generates billions annually.

Practical Implications and Verification

• Sanctuary Support: Organizations like the Pandrillus Foundation and the Jane Goodall Institute rely on public support to sustain multi-year rehabilitation costs.
• Verification: Readers can verify official sanctuary updates and conservation project details directly through the Jane Goodall Institute and associated wildlife protection authorities.