The second partridge and pheasant release activities were held at Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), which tries to preserve biological diversity and transfer it to future generations by hosting many domestic and wild animals.
The ceremony held at Kurupelit Campus; Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Cengiz Batuk, Prof. Dr. Mahmut Başoğlu, General Secretary Assoc. Dr. İdris Varıcı, 11th Regional Director Halim Özdemir, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Prof. Dr. Mehmet Tütüncü, public institution officials, University employees and students attended.
Within the scope of the protocol signed with the 11th Regional Directorate of OMÜ in line with the "Wild Animal Placement in Nature Project" of the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 250 pheasants and 500 grouse partridges were brought to their natural habitats by the hands of children. The project aims to contribute to the rapidly developing natural life of the campus.
The project aims to increase the population
Rector Prof. stated at the ceremony that care should be taken in the natural habitats of animals. Dr. Yavuz Ünal said, “There are two beauties today. First of all, we wanted to contribute to our young children raising awareness by witnessing this event. Secondly, we want the project to increase the population, revitalize the region's own natural plants, strengthen the ecosystem and diversify the animal population. It is necessary to protect the natural habitats of animals as much as possible and to be able to live with them. "Instead of occupying animals' habitats by destroying them, we should live together by protecting them." he said.
“We will have a happier life with their voice and image”
Stating that partridges and pheasants will add color to the campus, Rector Ünal said, “One year later, we will have a happier life with their sound and sight and even the news of their offspring. Our campus is one of the rare campuses in Turkey, its location is concentrated in a certain place, and apart from that, it is a place with a very favorable nature. Therefore, the increase in the partridge and pheasant population here is something we desire, and nature is extremely suitable for this. We know the sensitivity of our friends at the university on this issue, we especially want some of the work done in the field of bird sanctuary to be carried out on campus, the bird species on the campus to be recorded, and even a booklet to be prepared.” he said.
“Reintroduction efforts into nature will continue in the coming years”
Halim Özdemir, 11th Regional Director of the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, said: “Within the scope of the project we have implemented, Mammal-Poultry animals produced at Game and Wild Animal Breeding Stations are placed in living environments where their populations are low. In line with these studies, we signed an OMU cooperation protocol on August 27, 2021. Within the framework of the protocol, 250 partridges and 250 pheasants were released into our university's forest, meadow and stream ecosystem area in 2021. In 2022, 500 henna partridges and 250 pheasants will be released in line with the placement program. Tracking of settled animals; It will be held together with our Regional Directorate and the Orthinology Department of our University. “Reintroduction efforts into nature will continue in the coming years.” said.
At the end of the day, Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal offered refreshments to those who attended the ceremony.
