The hunting penalty is at a record level: New footage recorded
In Turkey, where it was thought that the Anatolian leopard (leopard species) had gone extinct, new footage has emerged for the first time, captured on a camera trap on August 25, 2019. The exact location of the footage has not been fully disclosed.
It is known that the Anatolian leopard roamed the forests of Central Anatolia, the Mediterranean, and the Aegean regions until 1975, and no live sightings have been recorded since then, apart from unverified reports from local people and hunters. The first official records of the Anatolian leopard, including video and photographs, were obtained on August 25, 2019, through a joint project between the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP) and Isparta University of Applied Sciences (ISUBÜ), conducted in the Western Mediterranean.
CAPTURED BY NIGHT CAMERA
The existence and survival of the Anatolian leopard, proven through scientific studies with camera traps, have led to new images obtained as part of the DKMP's project "Research on the Distribution of the Leopard in the Mediterranean and Aegean Regions." In the approximately 1-minute-long nighttime video, an animal, believed to be an Anatolian leopard, is seen walking alone in a mountainous, rocky, and wooded area.
NEW REGION
No definitive statement has been made about the species of the animal captured in the footage; however, it is noted that it is a large cat species, most likely the Anatolian leopard. The area where the footage was captured is described as a new region, not previously known. The exact province and location of the filming remain confidential, although it has been indicated that it is in the inner parts of the Aegean region.
RECORD FINE FOR HUNTING: 30 MILLION TL
On the other hand, according to the list titled "Protected Game and Wild Animals" prepared by the Central Hunting Commission for the 2024-2025 hunting season, the Anatolian leopard is at the top of the list of animals whose hunting and harm are prohibited. A compensation fee of 30 million TL will be imposed on those causing harm. Additionally, there are administrative fines and prison sentences ranging from 2 to 5 years for offenders.
