31.08.2025 02:40
The Nemrut Crater Lake and Caldera in the Tatvan district of Bitlis have been closed to visitors from September 1 to September 15, 2025, due to bear attacks. The governor's office stated that it is dangerous for visitors to approach the bears and that their feeding habits have been negatively affected.
It has been announced that Nemrut Crater Lake and Caldera will be closed to visitors from September 1 to September 15, 2025, due to bear attacks.
While Nemrut Crater Lake and Caldera, located within the borders of Tatvan district in Bitlis, has come to the forefront due to bear attacks, a new step has been taken by the governorship.
CLOSED TO VISITORS
According to the governorship's decision, the lake and caldera will be closed to visitors from September 1 to September 15. In a statement from the Bitlis Governorship, it was noted that the bears living in the Nemrut Caldera are a predatory species that continue to exhibit wild animal characteristics. It was stated that visitors feeding these wild and predatory animals under the guise of 'kindness' has negatively affected the bears' feeding habits, and they have started to obtain a large part of their food needs from visitors.
"BEARS ARE ATTEMPTING TO ATTACK VISITORS"
In the statement, it was expressed that "As seen in recent written and visual media, a group of wild bears has been observed attacking visitors entering the area. These attacks pose a very dangerous situation." It was also mentioned that "Although warning signs regarding security measures have been placed throughout the area, and necessary security precautions have been taken by the Provincial Gendarmerie Command and the Regional Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, some visitors coming to the area have exhibited behaviors that endanger their own safety against these wild animals, ignored warning signs, continued to feed the bears by hand, and approached the bears. As a result, the bears are attempting to attack visitors."