[EXPAT VOICE] Dr. David Bellamy-back to the future

June had witnessed, first-hand, the unforgettable sight of Mediterranean Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta) hauling themselves out of the night-blackened darkness of the sea and up the beach where, driven by instincts developed over the millions of years that have passed since these magnificent creatures first appeared, they return to their “home” beach where they dig their nests and lay their eggs as countless generations have done before. June was moved to tears as she watched and that night a bond was formed that in the future would change the direction of her life.

Soon after her experience with the turtles June learned of the plans to build a hotel and marina complex that would have marred the natural beauty of Dalyan’s delta and driven the endangered Caretta caretta from one of its few remaining nesting sites, hastening the disappearance of yet another species. She was determined to fight! Because of June Haimoff a campaign to stop the “development” of Iztuzu Beach was successful. Because of June Haimoff and those she rallied around her, people like David Bellamy, many thousands of Caretta caretta would hatch and begin their perilous journey to maturity. Because of June Haimoff the Caretta caretta would get another chance to escape its most dangerous predator -- Homo developus!

The habitat we know as the Dalyan Delta is a very complex and fragile environment, and as Kaptan June escorted David Bellamy over some of their old campaigning grounds he was horrified to see the degradation of the once magnificent reed-beds. As more and more water has been extracted, for agricultural and other uses, from the rivers that feed Köyceğiz Lake and the delta, saltwater has encroached further and further upstream. This has resulted in the dying back of fresh-water reeds and their replacement by sedges -- the whole character of the delta has changed in less that 10 years.

When Dr. Bellamy learned about the local campaign to stop the dam and hydroelectric project on the Yuvarlakcay, the principal river feeding the lake and delta of Turkey’s first Specially Protected Area, he asked to be taken to meet with the villagers and campaign leaders who have occupied and defended the site continuously for more than 120 days. (www.yuvarlakcay.org) On arrival he was faced with his second major shock in two days as he saw for himself the appalling destruction from tree felling and bulldozing. Villagers showed him the ancient oriental plane trees, some over 300 years old, that were felled along with nearly 1,000 pine trees and several protected Liquidamber orientalis.

As he met with and talked to villagers and realized the extent of their determination to protect and regenerate their forest and their water rights, David applauded them. In turn, they applauded him and thanked him for his visit and the support he has undertaken to give them.

Following his flying visit to Yuvarlakçay there was barely enough time before, as principle guest, he was escorting Kaptan June to a gala dinner to raise funds for the new Sea Turtle Protection Foundation. One hundred friends and supporters joined June and David at the Ley Ley Restaurant in the village of Okçular for a very enjoyable meal that was enhanced by the very short speeches. Door prizes, lucky tickets and an auction of donated paintings and a basket of fruit added to the fun; when all the funds and donations were added together, TL 6,000 had been raised towards the foundation. A wonderful achievement and testimony to the affection that locals have for Kaptan June Haimoff and the collective determination they have to protect our natural world.

A final treat awaited David Bellamy before he was due to fly out of Turkey just two short but event-filled days after he arrived; breakfast at the Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on Iztuzu Beach. June, David and a few friends braved some unseasonal cold rain to join center director Dr. Yakup Kaska and his students from Pamukkale University for an al fresco meal.

David Bellamy is an imposing man with an imposing, if sometimes controversial, record of environmental activism. At 77 years of age he has lost none of his enthusiasm or commitment for the world upon which we all depend. Bonds of friendship have been forged and re-forged from his visit, commitments undertaken and hopes raised that a better world is possible as long as we each take a leaf from the David Bellamy-Kaptan June “action book”:

Decide to do SOMETHING -- Take ACTION -- NEVER give up!