Türkiye treats and releases 11,000 wild animals into nature in 2025

In 2025, Türkiye successfully treated and returned approximately 11,000 injured and sick wild animals to their natural habitats, according to official figures. This annual achievement is part of a sustained, long-term national effort in wildlife rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation that has grown significantly in scope over the past decade.

Long-Term Commitment Yields Significant Results

Kadir Cokcetin, Director General of Nature Conservation and National Parks, provided context to the annual figure, noting that from 2012 through 2024, nearly 73,000 wild animals were rehabilitated and released. Combined with the 2025 total, this brings the overall number to around 84,000 animals over the past 13 years. The animals, often victims of natural disasters, accidents, or illness, receive comprehensive care including emergency medical treatment, surgery, and specialized rehabilitation at dedicated centers across 11 provinces before being cleared for release.

Breeding Programs for Ecosystem Balance

Beyond rescue operations, Türkiye actively runs captive breeding and release programs to support specific wildlife populations and address ecological imbalances. Key initiatives include partridge and pheasant breeding stations in multiple provinces. Officials state that these birds are released not only to bolster native species but also to serve as a form of biological pest control, with partridges helping manage tick populations and pheasants targeting invasive stink bugs in the Black Sea region. Since 2014, over 1.2 million captive-bred birds have been released into the wild.

Public Partnership and Advanced Monitoring

The success of these conservation efforts relies on a partnership with the public, whom authorities urge to report illegal hunting and avoid disturbing young wildlife. Following their release, many animals are monitored using modern techniques like electronic transmitters and tagging to track their adaptation and ensure successful reintegration into the ecosystem. This systematic, science-based approach underscores Türkiye's commitment to preserving its natural heritage and maintaining ecological balance for future generations.