“Carefully Coordinated Operation”: Rescued Gorilla Completes Journey From Nigeria to New Congo Home
- DHL Express partnered with multiple organisations across Africa to transport rescued gorilla Bili from Calabar, Nigeria, to the Republic of Congo
- Bili's journey spanned more than 22 hours by road and a cargo flight through two countries before she reached her new home
- The transfer marks the beginning of a new chapter for Bili, with the long-term aim of reintroducing her into the wild
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Source: UGC
A young rescued gorilla named Bili has completed a carefully coordinated journey from Nigeria to the Republic of Congo, in what conservation groups are calling a landmark cross-border wildlife operation.
On 21 September 2026, Bili began her relocation from the Pandrillus Foundation's Drill Ranch in Calabar. A road transfer lasting approximately 22 hours brought her to Lagos, where she boarded a DHL cargo flight the following day. Routing through Libreville in Gabon, she landed in Pointe-Noire on 23 September and was collected by the Jane Goodall Institute Republic of Congo team for the final leg to the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre.
DHL Express served as the logistics partner throughout, managing aviation planning and cargo support across multiple countries, including Nigeria, Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire and the Republic of Congo.
A multi-organisation effort
The operation involved a wide coalition of partners: the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria's Ministry of Environment and Department of Forestry, the Congo Ministry of Forest Economy, Focused Conservation, the Pandrillus Foundation, The Aspinall Foundation and The Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife, among others.
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Bili travelled in a purpose-built crate that met international live-animal transport standards. All required documentation, including CITES permits, veterinary health certification and IATA compliance, was completed ahead of departure. She was accompanied throughout the journey by Dr Rebeca Atencia, Executive Director and Head Veterinarian of the Jane Goodall Institute Republic of Congo, and her caregiver of three years, Imelda Effiong.
Anthony Beckley, VP Operations and Aviation at DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, described the significance of the undertaking.
"Protecting Africa's wildlife requires more than good intentions. It requires practical cooperation across borders and between conservation organisations, authorities and the private sector," he said.
He added that the operation was far more than a flight. Beckley said:
"It was a carefully coordinated conservation operation that required specialist animal care, regulatory compliance, security, ground transportation and aviation expertise across several countries."
Source: UGC
Bili's road to reintroduction
DHL has been a member of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce since 2014, working alongside partners to combat illegal wildlife trafficking through intelligence sharing and collaboration with customs and law enforcement agencies.
The ultimate goal for Bili is integration into the gorilla reintroduction programme at the Lésio-Louna Gorilla Reserve, a long-running initiative implemented by Congo's Ministry of Forest Economy and The Aspinall Foundation.
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Source: Briefly News
