Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, shared new images of the Anatolian Leopard obtained with a camera trap, and said, “The secret hero of the lofty mountains of Anatolia greeted us once again with its most magnificent appearance.” These new images renewed hopes for the existence of the species in Türkiye, and once again brought to the agenda the importance of conservation efforts.
Biodiversity Day and Emphasis on Nature Conservation
Minister Yumaklı sent a video message to the “3rd National Wild Animals Congress” organized in Van with the contributions of the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP) affiliated with the Ministry and Van Yüzüncü Yıl University. Yumaklı pointed out that the organization, beyond being academic, has become a meeting that guides the country’s nature conservation policies.
Yumakli, today also May 22 International Day for Biological Diversity He emphasized that biodiversity should not be seen only as an environmental issue but also as the basis for food security, climate resistance, development goals and the quality of life to be left to future generations.
Yumaklı stated that as a ministry, they do not only protect nature but also try to manage it by utilizing science and technology in cooperation with all segments of society, and that protected areas are increased with scientific strategies, the monitoring and protection of species are supported by advanced technologies, wildlife rehabilitation centers are expanded and cultural heritage is also protected.
Special Research Unit Established for Anatolian Parsi
While it was thought that the Anatolian Leopard, which was killed in the Beypazarı district of Ankara in 1974, was the last individual of this species and that it was extinct in our country, search efforts were initiated upon the tracks and signs found during the field work of the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP).
The Anatolian Leopard is Türkiye’s most important predatory mammal species in terms of biodiversity, and also has an important value in Anatolian history and culture. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Anatolian Leopard is a “sensitive species”EN-In DangerIt is in the " category.
A special research unit has been established for the effective protection of the Anatolian Leopard and continues its work intensively. Within the scope of the research unit's work, leopard populations being watched with camera trapsMinister Yumaklı shared new images of the Anatolian Parsi on his social media account and said, "The Anatolian Parsi is the embodiment of a thousand-year-old story. We will continue to protect this unique heritage with all our means."
