Çebi Calls for Hunting Ban in Dipkarpaz National Park

In a written statement, Çebi explained that during temperatures reaching 45°C, birds such as the turtle dove are forced to descend into villages to find water, relying on shepherds’ water tanks to survive.

“Unfortunately, these innocent and voiceless creatures are being hunted and killed in the very places where they are fighting for survival,” he said. Çebi emphasized that although Dipkarpaz National Park has been declared a protected area, opening it to hunting constitutes one of the greatest contradictions and examples of double standards.

He criticized authorities, stating: “On one hand, officials claim to protect nature and wildlife, but on the other, they issue hunting permits in these areas, rendering their own decisions meaningless. This is unacceptable and heartless.”

Çebi underscored that a national park should mean “absolute protection for nature and wildlife,” and allowing hunting in a protected area violates both law and conscience.

He added, “Hunting birds and other wildlife struggling to survive in this heat is nothing short of cruelty and massacre,” calling on the government and relevant institutions to prohibit hunting in Karpaz National Park.

Finally, Çebi stressed that protecting nature and animals requires decisive and consistent actions, not just rhetoric, urging the public to take a stand for the environment.