22.06.2026 00:30
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stated that as part of the fight against ticks and brown marmorated stink bugs, they aim to release a total of 51,000 birds into nature this year, including 39,250 partridges and 11,750 pheasants, adding, 'Partridge and pheasant releases will be carried out in 156 different areas across 62 provinces. The released species will support biological control against ticks and brown marmorated stink bugs.'
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı made statements regarding the preparations of the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP), affiliated with the ministry, for combating ticks and brown marmorated stink bugs.
PREPARATIONS ALSO COMPLETED THIS YEAR
Stating that thousands of partridges and pheasants are produced every year in production centers and released into nature in suitable areas, Yumaklı said that DKMP has also completed its preparations this year to bring winged species together with nature.
Yumaklı pointed out that the partridges and pheasants released into nature to support wildlife, restore the disrupted ecological balance, and strengthen wildlife populations contribute to biological control against pests such as ticks and brown marmorated stink bugs through their natural hunting instincts. He stated that partridge production is carried out at stations in Afyonkarahisar, Kahramanmaraş, Yozgat, Gaziantep, and Malatya, and pheasant production at stations in Samsun, Istanbul, and Gümüşhane under DKMP.
51 THOUSAND WINGED ANIMALS TO BE RELEASED INTO NATURE IN 62 PROVINCES
Noting that the winged wild animals raised in these centers are released into nature, both supporting populations and strengthening the natural balance, Yumaklı made the following assessments: "Our DKMP General Directorate released 36,250 partridges and 9,000 pheasants into nature in 2025. This year, we aim to release a total of 51 thousand winged animals into nature, including 39,250 partridges and 11,750 pheasants. Over the last 10 years, we have released approximately 750 thousand partridges and 250 thousand pheasants, totaling 1 million winged animals into nature."
Yumaklı mentioned that field studies, habitat assessments, and technical analyses are carried out in this context, saying, "This year, partridge and pheasant releases will be carried out in 156 different areas across 62 provinces."
"RELEASE AREAS ARE CLOSED TO HUNTING FOR 3 YEARS"
Emphasizing that great care is taken in selecting release areas, Yumaklı stated that the ecological requirements of the species, habitat suitability, adequacy of food and water resources, shelter opportunities, predator pressure, intensity of human activities, and monitoring results from previous years are taken into account.
Yumaklı noted that releases are planned for 116 points in 50 provinces for red-legged partridges, 34 points in 16 provinces for pheasants, and 6 points in 5 provinces for grey partridges, and added: "Partridge and pheasant releases also contribute to biological control against ticks and brown marmorated stink bugs. Particularly, partridges are medicated against tick infestation before release. Pheasants will be released into nature in provinces in the Black Sea Region as part of biological control against the agricultural pest brown marmorated stink bug. Additionally, release areas are closed to hunting for 3 years. Our entire aim is to protect and develop wildlife, ensure conscious and planned utilization of these areas, and transfer them to future generations with a sustainable management approach."