21.02.2026 17:21
A young male wolf that died after being hit by a vehicle on the Fethiye-Antalya highway at night has been included in a comprehensive genetic research project conducted across Turkey. Experts are collecting critical data to preserve the genetic integrity of wolves approaching residential areas.
A young male wolf's death in a traffic accident on the Fethiye-Antalya highway has been included in a nationwide genetic research project in Turkey. Experts are collecting critical data to preserve the genetic integrity of wolves.
THE WOLF THAT DIED IN THE ACCIDENT WILL BE USED IN SCIENTIFIC STUDIES
A wolf (Canis lupus) was killed in a traffic accident that occurred around 03:00 at night near the Karaçulha neighborhood of the Fethiye-Antalya highway. Investigations revealed that the wolf was a young male in its dispersal and area search phase. Tissue samples were taken from the deceased animal for genetic analysis and recorded.
GENETIC RESILIENCE WILL BE RESEARCHED
This case has been included in the scientific project titled "A Comprehensive Study on Wolves Nationwide: Spatial Genetics, Ecology, and Hybridization," conducted under the leadership of Sakarya University and with the participation of a large team of experts. The project aims to reveal the genetic structure of wolves across Turkey, the levels of hybridization with dogs, and the genetic resilience of the population.
"THEY ARE COMING DOWN TO THE CITY BY FOLLOWING WILD BOARS"
In technical statements regarding the issue, Dr. Yasin İlemin, Director of the Biological Diversity Application and Research Center at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University (MSKÜ), addressed the main reasons for wolves approaching human settlements. İlemin stated, "Wolves have been able to approach coastal cities in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions, especially during the winter months, in recent years. The primary reason for this is their following of wild boars (Sus scrofa) that have been habituated to being fed by humans, leading them to the outskirts of settlements. The increasing presence of wild boars on the city outskirts is causing wolves to head towards these areas and, unfortunately, encounter traffic accidents."
"HYBRIDIZATION IS A SERIOUS THREAT"
Emphasizing that wolves are an "insurance species" for the ecosystem, Dr. İlemin warned about the risk of hybridization, stating, "It is known that wolves approaching urban areas hybridize with stray dogs. This situation leads to disruptions in the genetic integrity of wolves, behavioral changes such as reduced avoidance of humans, and weakening of their ecological roles. This process, which we call 'invasive hybridization,' is a serious threat that could drag pure wolf populations into a vortex of extinction in the long term. With this project, we aim to prevent ecological degradation by preserving the genetic integrity of wolves."