Animal Search and Rescue Training from JAK

In Antalya, the Gendarmerie Search and Rescue (JAK) Team Command provided animal search and rescue training to the members and volunteers of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD).

JAK teams provided animal rescue training to AFAD volunteers at the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Zoo. Gendarmerie Petty Officer Chief Sergeant Mahir Muhittin Akdemir was accompanied by the zoo director, responsible veterinarian Aygül Arsun, who explained every detail from how to approach an animal in events they may encounter in nature, to taking it under control and taking it to a safe spot.

Explaining the approaches to reptiles, especially snakes, handling methods and transfer to a safe area in the event of a possible forest fire, natural disaster or entrapment, Akdemir introduced the volunteers to the 'Corn Snake' and completed the training. Among the volunteers who studied the Egyptian snake, known as a non-venomous and calm snake, those who encountered it for the first time overcame their fears.

Zoo Director Veterinarian Aygül Arsun talked about the physiological structures of snakes, their physical activities, and especially the reactions they can show under stress. Arsun drew attention to the importance of holding the snakes without squeezing the sides of their heads, and the importance of supporting them from the middle of the body with the other hand. For this reason, we should not only hold the head and injure the animal. They should be taken to the safe area by being supported from the middle of their body. Before the intervention, the type and characteristics of the snake should be known and approached accordingly. Our snake, which helps us in today's exercise, is a completely non-venomous species. But there are different types of venomous snakes in nature. Therefore, it is very important how to approach, how to hold and how to transfer. We supported the JAK teams as much as we could and tried to tell the truth to the volunteers.”

Volunteers Get to Know Snakes Closely

AFAD volunteer Burcu Yücel said, “I have encountered it in nature before. For the first time, I had the opportunity to examine this closely in education.”

Another volunteer, Mine Bayram Bilgiç, said, “Today we are in animal search and rescue training. We get to know all animals and learn how to intervene in nature. We saw what to watch out for during recovery. This is my first time in contact with a snake. It is a very different and exciting feeling.”

Stating that she encountered a snake for the first time, volunteer Emel Güler said, “I was very afraid of reptiles, especially snakes. I'm so excited. My heart beats so fast. But here I conquered my fear,” he said.

They received training on how to transport a goat

The training on how to get a goat up from the rocky spot where it was stuck, which was brought by the zoo management to help with the training, was also applied. The volunteers applied the techniques they learned, as the JAK teams showed the ways of tying the goat for safe transportation. The volunteers, who watched the training carefully, then toured the zoo and learned about the animals and their behavior.