In the Bozdağ Wildlife Development Center in Konya, the population of Anatolian wild sheep is increasing due to the conducted studies.
Anatolian wild sheep, which are endemic species to Turkey, are located within a 60,000-hectare area under the Nature Conservation and National Parks 8th Regional Directorate.
To ensure their reproduction and species continuity, the wild sheep are kept under surveillance with cameras. They live in groups in the mountains at elevations ranging from 1000 to 1700 meters.
Gültekin Aksan, the Director of the Nature Conservation and National Parks 8th Regional Directorate, stated that the center is a facility where Anatolian wild sheep are both protected and their numbers are increased for the purpose of transferring them to other locations.
According to Aksan, the facility, which is established on an area of approximately 60,000 hectares, serves as a production center, with 3,500 hectares dedicated to this purpose. The remaining area is utilized as the natural habitat for the wild sheep. The wild sheep in the production station are monitored with cameras. Only during winter, when the animals require food, clover is provided. For the rest of the time, there is no interference with their natural behavior.
Aksan explained that the entire area is scanned using a method of counting each individual animal. He stated, "By analyzing the data from the previous year and comparing it with the current year, we observe the trend. In 2021, we counted 96 offspring, and this number increased to 130 last year. Looking at the births in June and beyond this year, we see a significant increase in twin births. Therefore, we can say that the population is higher compared to the previous year."
