Entry ban to forests increased wildlife population

Head of Kızılcahamam Soğuksu National Park, Nurettin Kadim, emphasized the significant contribution of the entry bans to the forests to the wildlife, stating that it led to a slight expansion of natural habitats for animals and allowed them to move more comfortably. He also mentioned that there has been an increase in wildlife population in the area.
Following the major wildfires in 53 provinces of the Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara, Western Black Sea, and Southeastern Anatolia Regions in 2021, public entry to forests was prohibited. This decision has been implemented during the summer months in many provinces of Turkey through governorships from 2021 to the present.
Entry to forests prohibited in 3 major provinces
Most recently, entry to forests in 39 provinces of Turkey has been prohibited until mid-autumn this year. Access to forests in Istanbul is banned until October 15, in Ankara until September 30, and in Izmir until October 31.
An increase in wildlife observed
Nurettin Kadim, the Chief of Soğuksu National Park in Kızılcahamam district of Ankara affiliated with the Directorate General of Nature Conservation and National Parks, stated that they observe wildlife through camera traps placed in the field within the scope of wildlife locations. According to their observations, there has been an increase in wildlife.
Increase in Bear and Wild Boar populations
Kadim mentioned, ‘We observe an increase in Bear and Wild Boar populations through the images captured by camera traps. We provide supplementary feeding for all wildlife animals during harsh winter conditions. We provide the necessary support for the feeding of wildlife animals during challenging winter conditions.’
The ban has made animals more comfortable
Kadim, emphasizing that entry bans protect wildlife and provide significant benefits, stated, ‘Naturally, by reducing human pressure in forests, it has led to a slight expansion of natural habitats for animals and allowed them to move more comfortably. Therefore, we can say that there has been an increase in wildlife population in the area.’
Caution advised when encountering wildlife
Kadim also warned about the need to be cautious around wildlife, saying, ‘We generally advise our citizens not to go alone to areas with intense wildlife after dark. If they walk in groups and have a whistle or a similar device that makes noise with them, it can be a crucial deterrent in terms of vital danger. When encountering wildlife, we should immediately move away. If we move away from the area with loud noises without doing anything to the animal, the animal will not harm us.’
Kadim added that when evaluating the frequency and locations of animals captured by camera traps, important increases in wildlife have been observed.