In Nigeria, a Special Wildlife Office within the customs service is confronting a 20 billion dollar illicit trade that spans from pangolin scales to live gorillas. The operation recently rescued Bili, a baby gorilla, from traffickers in Calabar, highlighting the growing problem of ape trafficking fueled by social media demand for exotic pets.

Customs officers have intercepted massive shipments, including 196 bags of pangolin scales representing up to 38,000 animals. The trade thrives on beliefs in medicinal properties, with pangolin scales used in traditional Asian medicine and rhino horn once fetching $30,000 per pound. Nigeria has become a major hub for smuggling wildlife products from across Africa to global markets.

Beyond trafficking, endangered species face habitat destruction from expanding industries like palm oil production. Conservation efforts include rehabilitation centers where rescued animals like Bili, Brendan, and Mili receive care before transfer to sanctuaries. These centers reveal the intelligence and distinct personalities of trafficked animals, underscoring the human cost of this criminal enterprise that threatens Africa's biodiversity.