Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı made statements regarding the preparations by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP) to combat ticks and the brown marmorated stink bug.
Yumaklı explained that thousands of partridges and pheasants are produced annually at breeding centers and released into suitable natural areas, adding that the DKMP has completed its preparations this year to reintroduce these avian species to the wild.
He pointed out that the partridges and pheasants released to support wildlife, restore disrupted ecological balance, and strengthen wild animal populations also contribute to biological control against pests like ticks and the brown marmorated stink bug through their natural hunting instincts. Yumaklı stated that within the DKMP, partridge production is carried out at stations in Afyonkarahisar, Kahramanmaraş, Yozgat, Gaziantep, and Malatya, while pheasant production takes place at stations in Samsun, İstanbul, and Gümüşhane.
'WE HAVE RELEASED 1 MILLION BIRDS INTO THE WILD OVER 10 YEARS'
Highlighting that the winged wild animals raised at these centers support populations and strengthen natural balance when released, Yumaklı offered the following assessment: 'Our General Directorate of DKMP released 36,250 partridges and 9,000 pheasants into the wild in 2025.
This year, we aim to release a total of 51,000 birds into the wild, comprising 39,250 partridges and 11,750 pheasants. Over the last 10 years, we have released approximately 1 million birds into the wild, consisting of about 750,000 partridges and 250,000 pheasants.'
Yumaklı mentioned that field studies, habitat assessments, and technical analyses have been conducted within this scope, stating, 'We will carry out partridge and pheasant releases in 156 different areas across 62 provinces determined for this year.'
'RELEASE AREAS ARE CLOSED TO HUNTING FOR 3 YEARS'
Emphasizing that great care is taken in selecting release areas, Yumaklı noted that ecological requirements of the species, habitat suitability, adequacy of food and water sources, shelter opportunities, predator pressure, intensity of human activities, and monitoring results from previous years are all taken into account.
Yumaklı stated that releases are planned for red-legged partridges at 116 points in 50 provinces, pheasants at 34 points in 16 provinces, and rock partridges at 6 points in 5 provinces, adding: 'The release of partridges and pheasants also contributes to biological control against ticks and the brown marmorated stink bug. Particularly, partridges are treated against tick infestation prior to release.
Pheasants will be released into the wild in provinces of the Black Sea Region as part of biological control against the agricultural pest, the brown marmorated stink bug. Furthermore, areas where releases occur are closed to hunting for a period of 3 years. Our entire aim is to protect and develop wildlife, ensure conscious and planned utilization of these areas, and secure their transfer to future generations through a sustainable management approach.'
