Permanent Base For Karpaz Research Station

The Karpaz Research Station, where many studies will be conducted of migratory birds and “free donkeys”alongside turtles, has opened on Ronnas Beach, one of the most important nesting areas for sea turtles.

NEW Karpaz Research Station Opens

The project camp area, where seasonal studies on turtles have been conducted, along with its infrastructure and prefabricated buildings, has been transformed into a station where 24 people can stay and undertake research.  Observations in different areas can be continued throughout the year.  The station was established with the support of the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute, the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, the Environmental Protection Department, and the Erenköy-Karpaz Municipality.

The station aims to make a significant contribution to the conservation of the Karpaz Peninsula. Initially, the Karpaz Research Station was established to provide central support for sea turtle monitoring and conservation efforts conducted under the Cyprus Marine Life Center, operating under the umbrella of the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute.  Every year, the Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Project receives applications from 300-500 volunteers from 55-60 different countries, but due to limited accommodation, only 120 volunteers can be hosted.

Research activities to be expanded

The field activities of the Donkey Management Project in the Karpaz region, which is coordinated by the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute, will also be carried out at the Karpaz Research Station.  Additionally, research on migratory birds, which make a stop in Cyprus during their migration journeys every year, will be conducted at the Karpaz Research Station. The station will be active throughout the year.

Three-dimensional maps of the coasts will also be created at the station, and changes in the coasts will be monitored.

The opening of the station was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, Metin Feyzioğlu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, TİKA Deputy President Rahman Nurdun, and Director of the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute Kemal Basat.

Ambassador Feyzioğlu

Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey Metin Feyzioğlu noted in his speech at the opening that the project related to turtles contributes significantly to the establishment of intercultural bridges and the promotion of the TRNC.  Feyzioğlu stated that the protection of turtles contributes to the protection of the environment and thus to the protection of humans.  Emphasizing, “The reason why these places remain in paradise beauty is that the region has not been concreted over because of the turtles.”

Thanking the volunteers for their efforts, Feyzioğlu said, “We need to realize a sustainable development and a tourism model respectful to nature.”

Feyzioğlu also emphasized that the projects are carried out in cooperation with the Yunus Emre Institute, the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, TİKA, and the CEDO (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency).  Feyzioğlu also stated that they are aware of the difficulties experienced by the people of the Karpaz region due to the donkeys and that they will solve the problem by also protecting the donkeys, expressing his belief that they will succeed.

DPM Ataoğlu

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu stated that the social media messages made by volunteers who come to the country from abroad are important contributions to the promotion of Northern Cyprus.  Ataoğlu stated that they have signed many protocols with the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute regarding turtles and Karpaz donkeys, but today’s station has a very different meaning, and it is also very important that studies on migratory birds will be conducted at the Center.

Ataoğlu thanked the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, TİKA, and the authorities of Taşkent Nature Park for their contributions.  Ataoğlu explained that environmental pollution poses a vital danger to turtles, and that turtles trying to eat plastic bags by mistaking them for jellyfish can lead to their death.

Rahman Nurdun

TİKA Deputy President Rahman Nurdun said that they attach importance to research projects as TİKA and that the resources allocated by TİKA are proportional to reach sustainable development goals.  Nurdun stated that TİKA has supported more than 30,000 projects in 160 countries over 30 years, and they also provide support in the TRNC.

Nurdun stated that the projects carried out in the Center are in line with the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations for 2030, and that TİKA has contributed to the realization of 170 projects in the TRNC, which corresponds to an average of 40 projects per year.  Nurdun expressed that the additions made to the station were well thought out, and they will also finish the project related to Karpaz donkeys.

Kemal Basat

Director of the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute Kemal Basat said that the Institute has evolved from a very small rehabilitation center to an international environmental organization, and this project is the fourth project they have carried out with TİKA, and the biggest support has been provided by TİKA together with the Ministry.  Basat noted that the station is now a general research station active throughout the year, not only for turtle research, and that they have signed a protocol with the Ministry for Karpaz donkeys, and in the past, they tried to provide remote protection for Karpaz, but now with the additions made to the station, more effective protection can be provided. Basat said, “The participation of the Dipkarpaz people is very important.”

Basat stated that three out of the 7 special environmental protection areas in the country are in Karpaz and that 5 of the 22 endemic plants are unique to Karpaz.

Basat said that studies on migratory birds will also be carried out at the Center, emphasizing that Karpaz is a very important transition point for birds migrating from Turkey to Africa. Basat noted that the island off the coast of Cape Karpaz is the easternmost breeding point of the Mediterranean gulls.  Basat said that these will be researched and monitored at the Research Station and thanked everyone contributing to wildlife conservation.

 Dr. Oğuz Türkozan

Coordinator of the Cyprus Marine Life Center, Coordinator of the Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Project Prof. Dr. Oğuz Türkozan said that volunteers come from many parts of the world to work on turtles, and so far, volunteers have come from 55-60 countries. Türkozan stated that they have been able to accept 120 volunteers per year, but the number of applications is between 350-400.  Türkozan noted that 24 people can stay at the existing facilities at once, emphasizing that the Station should not be seen only as a Turtle research center, and that volunteers also participate in cultural sharing at the Center.  Türkozan stated that advanced technology is also used in the studies, and the research is used in international journals and symposiums.

Türkozan thanked the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, TİKA, and the Erenköy-Karpaz Municipality for their support.

Source (Turkish):  TRNC Ministry of Tourism and Environment

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