Turkey

KuzeyDoğa Society
KuzeyDoğa Society celebrated the International Day for Biodiversity with activities and press conferences in important bird areas of Kars, Igdir and Istanbul.

In Igdir, we had a press conference at our Aras Bird Research and Education Center, where we demonstrated bird ringing (banding). At Igdir City Forest, the governor of Igdir, Mr. Saffet Karahisarli released two golden eagles and one sparrowhawk that were found injured and then rehabilitated by the Igdir Director of Environment and Forestry, Mr. Taner Tazegun.

In Kars, we had a press conference at threatened Lake Cali, globally important bird area that holds a breeding population of globally Endangered White-headed Duck.

In Istanbul, wildlife vet Ahmet Kutukcu released three Eurasian Honey-buzzard that were found injured and then rehabilitated by him.

Gocbeyli
On the International Day for Biodiversity several scientists met at Gocbeyli village to observe the local wildlife. This site was symbolic because it demonstrates what can happen to biodiversity when human development takes over. According to scientists before the construction of a Formula 1 track, the area had a much wider and diverse array of biodiversity. The effects of deforestation were also observed as the scientists had difficulty finding shade from the hot sun. The scientists are hopeful that the composition of the landscape in the area will evolve to include new species that will replace those that have been lost. Read more.