[STARTING UP IN TURKEY] Discovering Turkish wildlife

Thus, for nature freaks and environmentalists Turkey is probably one of the world’s top spots to travel to. From diving into the endless beauty of underwater worlds to bird-watching in the mountains, Turkey indeed has much to offer.

Here Today’s Zaman provides you with a short overview. We explain where to go and how to find out about such “natural wonders” in Turkey.

First of all, Turkey is definitely a paradise for bird-watchers. Due to the fact that Turkey forms a geographical crossroads between Asia, Africa and Europe, the country lies on -- believe it or not -- five important migratory routes for birds, which travel twice a year between their breeding grounds in the north and their winter residences in the south. Some 400 species of birds are found in Turkey, with about 250 of these passing through on migration. Particularly easy to see are eagles, rollers and bee-eaters.

Most famous is the route leading along the Çoruh River, Turkey’s last remaining wild river. Look up in spring and fall and you may catch an amazing view of migrating bird colonies in the sky. According to travel guide Burak Sansal, publisher of the online forum www.allaboutturkey.com, around 250,000 birds of prey make their way from Hopa in northeastern Turkey to Kahraman maraş and Antakya in southeastern Turkey. He also recommends not missing out on the flight of storks over the Bosporus. Hundreds of thousands of storks fly in flocks over İstanbul in the course of a few weeks. One reason for this spectacle is surely the fact that the Bosporus strait is not only a migratory route for birds but is also a route for fish making their way between the Black and Marmara seas and which probably provide a welcome meal for the birds.

Furthermore, the wetlands of Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coasts also provide a refuge for many birds, such as pelicans, cormorants and a number of wild ducks and geese. Go and visit Silifke and Pamuçak, both on the Mediterranean coast; more than 332 species have been recorded as settling here, including colonies of flamingos.

A bird species that originated from Samsun on Turkey’s fertile Black Sea coast is the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), now widespread throughout Europe. Did you know that this bird was named after the ancient name for the Kizilirmak River -- “Phasianus”?

It is a little-known fact that Anatolia is the original homeland of several animal species. Because there are still many areas of the country that have remained virtually untouched, some rare species can be found in the Turkish hinterlands which have become endangered or even extinct elsewhere on the planet.

Afraid of tigers?

The Taurus Mountains, a mountain range between Antalya and Adana from which the rivers Euphrates and Tigris flow, is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Sansal has collected some surprising facts about the region: The fallow deer, typically often related to northern European forests, was introduced from Turkey in the 17th century; its actual origin is the Taurus Mountains. Similarly with wild sheep that were also native to Anatolia. Most surprisingly, the name “tiger” comes from the Tigris River and although today, admittedly, the tiger is certainly extinct from Anatolian fauna, what can be found in abundance, however, is the kangal, named after a small town near Sivas and Turkey’s only recognized native breed of dog.

In theory, however, you could also see deer, wolves, lynx, bears and jackals in the Anatolian outback, although in reality you are unlikely to see such wild animals unless you are trekking. Unfortunately, environmental tourism is not yet that well developed in Turkey but there are a few travel agencies offering guided tours through Turkey’s national parks. You can look up possible destinations in a travel guide or on the Internet or -- as is always best -- by word of mouth. For general information about Turkey’s wildlife, you can contact the Foundation for the Protection of Nature (www.dhkd.org.tr) or the Turkish branch of the WWF (www.wwf.org.tr).

And last but not least, what would Turkey be without its endless beaches and water worlds? On the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts in particular, with their mild climate and surprisingly high water quality, some rare species of animals, seals and particularly turtles can be found; Turkey is host to some of the last surviving colonies of monk seals worldwide. Seals are seen to a lesser extent in the Marmara and Black seas, but they are most common around Foça, a small town near İzmir whose name derives from the ancient Phoenician word for seal. Turtles also nest on various Turkish beaches, the principal locations being the area around Dalyan, the Göksu Delta and Patara Beach.

Just go and try! It’s a joy to come across wildlife unexpectedly. And don’t forget to watch out for the dolphins in the Bosporus!