11.12.2025 21:15
The endangered Anatolian leopard was spotted in a tree in Tunceli. As the moments of the Anatolian leopard, which carries a penalty of 45 million and up to 5 years in prison for killing, were captured on camera, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kılıç emphasized the importance of the Anatolian leopard, stating, "The species identified in Tunceli and photographed in a tree for the first time is our Anatolian Leopard, Anatolian Leopard. This is likely a young individual, and it seems to have taken refuge in the tree to escape from humans."
In Tunceli, the Anatolian leopard, classified as 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), was spotted in a tree by a villager in the countryside.
Tunceli's rich geography hosts many species of wildlife, including lynx, wild goat, fox, wolf, marten, otter, badger, squirrel, rabbit, wild boar, urial, chamois, and bear.
ANATOLIAN LEOPARD SPOTTED IN TUNCELI
While it has been discussed for many years that the Anatolian leopard lives in the city, teams from the Nature Conservation and National Parks Department placed camera traps in many locations in the city to confirm the species' presence. Most recently, a villager living in the rural and high areas of the city captured images of the animal he saw in a tree with his mobile phone camera.
PENALTY FOR KILLING IS 45 MILLION LIRA
The penalty for killing the critically endangered Anatolian leopard is stated to be 45 million lira and 5 years in prison; it is believed that the animal may have taken refuge in the tree to escape from humans.
EXPERTS CONFIRMED
The villager later sent the images to Lawyer Barış Yıldırım, who is closely involved in cases related to the protection of the environment and wildlife. Yıldırım also sent the images to experts to inquire whether the animal captured on camera was an Anatolian leopard. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sözen from the Department of Biology at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University and Biodiversity and Environmental Expert Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kılıç confirmed that the animal in the images is indeed the Anatolian leopard, which is classified as 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
"LYNX DOES NOT HAVE DISTINCT BLACK STRIPES"
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sözen stated, "The animal in the footage was recorded in Tunceli. When we look at it, we see a large cat that has climbed to the top of the tree. It has spots on it, and there are longer black spots on its feet. In Turkey, there are actually two animals that could exhibit this behavior. One is the Anatolian leopard, and the other is the lynx. Yes, the animal in the footage is undoubtedly an Anatolian leopard. Its head structure, ear structure, belly patterns, and especially the longitudinal blackness on its feet confirm that it is a leopard. The lynx has a whitish belly and the blackish stripes on its feet are not distinct. Therefore, the animal is undoubtedly a leopard," he said.
"IT IS A VERY RARE SPECIES"
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kılıç emphasized the importance of the Anatolian leopard, stating, "The species identified and photographed in a tree for the first time in Tunceli is the Anatolian Leopard, Anatolian Leopard. This is likely a young individual, and it seems to have taken refuge in the tree to escape from humans. These are among the rarest species, generally at the top of the food pyramid in biodiversity. It is a very rare species. Its presence in Anatolia makes us very happy. Because we understand the importance of Anatolia here," he said.