Bili’s Journey: How Africa Came Together for One Little Gorilla

Photo Credit: Jane Goodall Institute

It took conservationists, governments, wildlife experts and an international logistics network working across borders to get one very special passenger safely to her new home.

Africa (05 October 2026) – A young gorilla named Bili has just travelled across Africa, thanks to an incredible group of people working together to give her another chance.

And after everything she has already been through, this feels like very good thing to us.

Bili was rescued in Nigeria after being targeted by wildlife traffickers and placed in the care of the Pandrillus Foundation at its Drill Ranch in Calabar. For three years, conservationists cared for her there while working toward what would come next. That next chapter has now begun. DHL Express recently supported the safe transfer of Bili from Nigeria to the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre near Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo.

Her journey began on the 21st of September with a 22-hour drive from Calabar to Lagos. The following day, she boarded a DHL cargo flight, travelling via Libreville in Gabon before arriving in Pointe-Noire on the 23rd of September.

From there, the Jane Goodall Institute team took her on the final road journey to Tchimpounga. And Bili had familiar company throughout. Her caregiver of three years, Imelda Effiong, travelled alongside her, together with Dr Rebeca Atencia, Executive Director and Head Veterinarian of the Jane Goodall Institute Republic of the Congo.

“This was far more than a flight. It was a carefully coordinated conservation operation that required specialist animal care, regulatory compliance, security, ground transportation and aviation expertise across several countries,” explained Anthony Beckley, VP Operations and Aviation at DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa.

DHL coordinated the aviation planning and cross-border logistics, while the wider operation brought together conservation organisations, government authorities and wildlife experts across several countries.

“We are proud that DHL’s network and people could help bring all these elements together and support Bili’s journey to a safe, long-term home, with her safety and wellbeing at its centre,” Beckley added.

DHL has also been a member of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce since 2014, working with conservation organisations, law enforcement and the transport industry to help prevent logistics networks from being exploited by wildlife traffickers.

It is an important reminder for all of us in South Africa too. Protecting Africa’s wildlife does not stop at the boundary of a reserve or a country’s border. Wildlife trafficking is an international problem and fighting it requires people across our continent working together.

But Bili’s arrival at Tchimpounga is not the end of her story. The rehabilitation centre cares for more than 150 chimpanzees, another gorilla and other African wildlife injured or orphaned through the illegal wildlife trade. Here, Bili will receive specialist veterinary care and rehabilitation.

“Every rescue is made possible through collaboration, and Bili’s journey demonstrates what can be achieved when conservation organisations, government authorities, logistics experts, and supporters work together with a shared commitment to wildlife protection,” Dr Atencia shared.

The long-term aim is for Bili to eventually join the gorilla reintroduction programme at the Lesio-Louna Gorilla Reserve, where orphaned gorillas have previously been rehabilitated and released. Which means the little gorilla who once found herself in the hands of wildlife traffickers may one day find herself exactly where she belongs.

Back in the wild.

For now, Bili is safe, surrounded by people dedicated to giving her the best possible future. Her story began with humans doing something awful. This chapter is about all the humans who decided to do something good.

Partner roles:

Nigeria Customs Service Special Wildlife Office: Provided security, regulatory and local operational support in Nigeria.
Nigeria Ministry of Environment: Issued CITES permits for earlier DNA testing to determine origin and for re-export to Congo. Participated in the send-off in Lagos.
Ministry of Forest Economy, Republic of Congo: Governmental support and regulatory lead in Congo.
Focused Conservation: Rescue partner in Nigeria and operational conservation lead. Through its Technical Advisor, Focused Conservation provided in-country law enforcement technical support in partnership with the Nigerian Customs Service Special Wildlife Office.
The Aspinall Foundation: International facilitation and long-term gorilla reintroduction partner in Congo.
Pandrillus Foundation: Bili’s recovery from Lagos in 2023, veterinary screening, DNA testing, rehabilitation and care for 3 years in Calabar, and road-transfer coordinator back to Lagos.
Jane Goodall Institute Republic of Congo: Receiving organisation responsible for veterinary oversight during Bili’s transfer to the Tchimpounga sanctuary.
The Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife: Convening conservation, government, law enforcement and logistics partners to strengthen collaboration and disrupt wildlife trafficking networks.