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To save the symbols of wild life in Turkey, 80.000 Signs have been collected. Signs will be presented to the ministry in a short time. Nevertheless, a grizzly bear’s been hunted down ‘legally’ in Giresun province.
Grizzly bear, rupicapra rupicapra ornate and chevrotain are the three symbols of wild life in Turkey.
Grizzly bear is one of the endangered species which takes part in Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. It is also takes part in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
It is allowed to hunt grizzly bear, rupicapra rupicapra ornate and chevrotain in Turkey. The reason behind is wild animals and people’s coming face to face and putting human life at risk.
Tenders were initiated in 10 provinces
Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks of Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs permitted many wild life species including 15 bears, 109 chevrotains and 4 rupicapra rupicapra ornate to be hunted between May 1and December 15.
After the tenders are initiated in different cities, tourism agencies which will pay the most will sell the obtained quota to the hunters.
WWF started a petition via change.org and wants these tenders to be cancelled.
Natural life has been narrowed, we don’t know the number
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) -Turkey says animals whose natural habitat have been narrowed face people unwillingly but it doesn’t mean the population of wild animals increased.
“It is unknown in Turkey whether these endangered species increased or not with untrustworthy data. We are worried about other species, too. These critical decisions should be made with scientific data and observations. We are expecting a detailed explanation from the authorities related to the subject.”
WWF is against all hunting activities except few tribes hunting for living. It is stated that Turkey cannot be considered as one of those tribes and societies.
Provinces which initiate tender for hunting tourism are: Adıyaman, Ankara, Giresun, Denizli, Antalya, Artvin, Bolu, Erzincan, Erzurum, Hatay. (NV/BD)
Click here to read this article in Turkish